May the God of steadfastness and peace help us to live in harmony

Ish 11:1-10, Rom. 15:4-9, Mt. 3:1-12. On this Second of Advent Year A, we focus on the second of the four themes of the Sundays of Advent, namely: hope, peace, joy and love. We begin with hope last week Sunday and today we focus on peace, the peace that God alone can bring, as we light the second of the four candles of the Advent wreath. Thus, in today's first reading, the Prophet Isaiah rekindles the hope of Israel as he speaks of a Scion who will reconcile enemy nations and establish a reversal of fortune". He shall be different from other kings and His reign shall bring us freedom from evil and oppression. It shall bring us peace with God and with one another. This condition of perfect peace will come only when we become humble, faithful and be men and women of integrity.

To live in perfect peace, Paul in the second reading enjoins us to accept one another so that we can live in harmony and peace. He prays for us: “May the God of steadfastness and encouragement grant you to live in such harmony with one another..." In today’s Gospel, the fact of the appearance of John the Baptist in the wilderness speaks volume about the necessity of true peace in our world that is in chaos. The wilderness is a place that cannot be easily controlled by any power. Wilderness are physically a place where we can listen to God in silence and solitude. Despite what we might think, these times, these places are the bests place to begin turning to God, to begin preparation to Jesus and to begin the establishment of the reign of peace. To establish the reign of peace, we must rid ourselves of greed, intolerance, hatred, malice and everything that will hinder us from receiving Christ this season. In light of this, the Church encourages us to take advantage of the sacrament of reconciliation in other to prepare ourselves to receive the Prince of Peace.

May the God of peace grant us peace and help us to be in harmony with one another! Amen!! Good morning and happy Sunday!!!