The concepts of justice and peace cry out in today’s First Reading, Isaiah 11:1-10. We hear about a judge who does not judge by appearance or hearsay but wears justice around the waist and is a protector of the poor and afflicted. We dream of a time when a child and a lion or a baby and a cobra live together in peace, like returning to the Garden of Eden and a time of innocence.
The theme of justice is strong in today’s Psalm 72. It is beneficial to study the Biblical meaning of the word justice. It means to treat people equitably, but it also means giving people their rights. Those who need justice are those who have no rights: the stranger (immigrant), the widow, and the orphan. These are the poor and oppressed among us then and now.
The words of John the Baptist in Mt 3:1-12 remind us to prepare for the coming of the Lord by repenting and producing good fruit.
Christians believe that these readings describe the Reign of God established by Jesus in a kingdom that is already here, but not yet here. We only need to hear one day’s local, national, or world news to know that the comforting picture painted in Scripture is not yet reality here on earth.
Advent is a time for increased efforts to uphold the values of justice and peace-making that we should be emphasizing throughout the year. There are questions we can look at as individuals and as a community. Who are the poor in our midst? How are the needs of the poor addressed by our parish, our community? What are we doing to address the root causes of poverty and injustice in this town? Where and how can I bring peace to my corner of the world? How can I help bring about this reign of peace and justice?
The thought that we should be solving the world’s problems is overwhelming. But each person has a role in building God’s kingdom. Provide the time and space for Advent dreaming. Then we can help one another to make those dreams come true. Today’s Second Reading reminds us that from “the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.”
