December 15, 2015 – From Sr. Carole Anne Griswold
The wolf shall live peacefully with the lamb, the leopard shall lie down with the young goat; the calf and the yearling, will rest secure with the lion; and a little child will tend them all.” (Is. 1: 6) “For to us a Child will be born. To us a Son will be given. And the rule of the nations will be on His shoulders. His name will be called . . . Prince of Peace.” (Is 9:6). How our world yearns for PEACE! And we are about to celebrate once again the coming of the Prince of Peace. What does that mean to us who live in the midst of a world torn by suffering, violence, prejudice, poverty? An Advent Reflection by Henri Nouwen on “Making the Vision Come True” offers each one of us some simple answers as to how we, in our individual lives, can bring about PEACE in our world. “The marvelous vision of the peaceable kingdom, in which all violence has been overcome and all men, women, and children live in loving unity with nature, calls for its realization in our day-to-day-lives. Instead of being an escapist dream, it challenges us to anticipate what it promises. Every time we forgive our neighbor, every time we make a child smile, every time we show compassion to a suffering person, every time we arrange a bouquet of flowers, offer care to tame or wild animals, prevent pollution, create beauty in our homes and gardens, and word for peace an justice among peoples and nations we are making the vision come true. We must remind one another constantly of the vision. Whenever it comes alive in us we will find new energy to live it out, right where we are. Instead of making us escape real life, this beautiful vision gets us involved. In what situations do you observe the “lion and lamb” living peacefully? How will the Prince of Peace manifest himself in your actions this Christmas season? May the Prince of Peace fill you with Peace during this blessed season of Advent and Christmas!
