The Second Sunday of Advent: Reflection on Peace

Nov 30

Our good friend, The Dictionary, defines peace as a state of tranquility or quiet such as: freedom from civil disturbances, a state of security by law or custom, harmony in personal relationships, freedom from disquieting or oppressive thoughts or emotion.

Peace as Shalom or Eirene as used in the old and new testament respectively, mean that life is complex, full of moving parts, relationships and situations, and when any of these is out of alignment or missing, your peace breaks down. Life is no longer whole, it needs to be restored to wholeness or completeness.

When Jesus arrives on the scene, we see His story play out as a way of saying there is wholeness here between us, there is connection, there is restoration of relationship, we are connected. With the Spirit, we become peacemakers where the peace within us overflows into how we restore peace in the world. We see that peace in this life is ACTIVE, not avoidant. It brings us towards each other, towards injustice, to be peacemakers.

Reflect on Peace
Today, take some time to reflect on peace, and chat with God about what it’s like for you to consider peace here and now…

✦ What first comes up in your mind, body, and emotions as you consider the idea of peace as more than serenity or calmness, but as wholeness, completeness, and restoration of relationship?

✦ What comes up for you when you consider peace is ACTIVE, moving towards each other for active restoration?

✦ What do you imagine the ‘fragile peace the world gives’ is? Perhaps it is the idea of peace as passive or avoidant, as that calm and serene feeling instead of moving towards each other? How does this contrast the peace that Jesus gives; a peace that Jesus moves towards you to give in restored relationship? What is coming up for you as you explore these two ideas?

✦ What might God be inviting you into as you consider your role as a peacemaker? Perhaps it’s something like taking time to learn more about peacemaking, or maybe there’s something else you feel God inviting you into.