Peace Be With You

   

  Second Sunday of Advent 

04 December 2022 

 

First Reading: Is 11:1-10

Responsorial Psalm: Ps 72:1-2, 7-8, 12-13, 17

Second Reading: Rom 15:4-9

Gospel: Mt 3:1-12

 

Reflection

By: Ma. Rosalina S. Flores

 

This Second Sunday of Advent, we light the candle of peace, to which the various meanings are reflected upon in our Mass readings. In the First Reading, the prophet Isaiah prophesied the King to come who is the King of Peace. Saint Paul in his letter to the Romans gave importance on welcoming one another and living in harmony with each other. Saint Matthew highlighted Saint John the Baptist who was inviting the people to repent in order to enter the Kingdom of God through Jesus.

In today's modern world, peace is the most abused word as people define it differently and far from God's definition of peace mentioned in today's readings. Some say peace is no more violence but people are at war with the environment and those living in it. Peace is having a healthy relationship with others but cannot forgive his parents, brothers, sisters, or children. Peace is living a good life but at the expense of other people. And some would say inner peace but are actually addicted to drugs and sins.

Jesus, the Prince of Peace, the reason of our preparation for Christmas, is the only One who can give us genuine peace. But He requires us one thing to achieve His promised peace and that is to repent, to ask for the forgiveness of our sins, and hopefully to sin no more. That only requirement for peace is actually the hardest as we are sinners ourselves to which even after repentance, we still fall to the same sin again and again. But the good news is, Jesus is the fountain of mercy, our baby steps in going back to Him and doing good, will surely be remembered and be blessed. Jesus always wants the peace to be with us and may we aspire for peace to be with ourselves, too.

Prayer

Lord Jesus, help us to repent and find Your peace. It will not be an easy task for a sinner like me but I know it is possible. Aid me in moving forward to Your mercy and may the peace be with me, Amen.