Peace Meant to Be
December 1, 2015
Tuesday of the First Week of Advent
“On that day, a shoot shall sprout from the stump of Jesse, and from his roots a bud shall blossom. . . . Then the wolf shall be a guest of the lamb, and the leopard shall lie down with the kid; the calf and the young lion shall browse together, with a little child to guide them.” (Isaiah 11:1, 6)
Here we are on the first day of meteorological winter in the northern hemisphere, and the first reading begins with spring like imagery—a shoot shall sprout and buds shall blossom. Because of where we live, there is a good chance that the ground is covered with snow by now, and signs of new life may appear far from clear as we enter this “dormant” season of the year. And although Isaiah isn’t the least bit interested in which meteorological season the reader is in (he’s prophesying about the Davidic king to come), I found the paradox interesting.
Reading further into the poem, we find the imagery of the predator communing with the prey—wolf and lamb, leopard and kid, lion cub and child. This time however the two are friends, not foes. They will live in harmony—profound peace as the Psalmist says (72:7). At a time when we are inundated, and dare I say often unconsciously participate in violence, whether in thought, word or deed, can we really experience profound peace, as Isaiah promised?
Our belief in the Incarnation would suggest that profound peace is ours to have and ours to give—even here on earth. As the lyrical prayer Let There Be Peace on Earth requests, “Let peace begin with me.”
Peaceful One,
As I enter into this Advent season, where there is snowy violence in my body, mind and soul,
equip me with all that is needed to melt it into rivers nourishing the peace that is meant to be.
Amen.
Sr. Roxanne Seifert, PBVM
Vice President Mission
Avera Queen of Peace Hospital
During the Advent season, the Presentation Sisters will provide reflections upon the daily readings. We invite you, every day, to find a way to spend some time with God in reading, prayer and meditation. We hope these daily reflections offer you some encouraging words and wisdom to carry forward through each passing day.
