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On Sunday, I included a photo and a poem in the bulletin. The poem is by David Whyte, and it is “Santiago.” The artwork is a wood engraving by artist Hilary Paynter, titled “Glimpses.” A phrase in both readings sums up the connection to the scripture texts: prepare the way.
In Malachi, the phrase is located in verse 1 of chapter:
See, I am sending my messenger to prepare the way before me, and the Lord whom you seek will suddenly come to his temple. The messenger of the covenant in whom you delight--indeed, he is coming, says the LORD of hosts.
In Luke, the phrase is in chapter 3, verse 4:
… as it is written in the book of the words of the prophet Isaiah, "The voice of one crying out in the wilderness: 'Prepare the way of the Lord; make his paths straight.”
Both point toward renewal. God is moving toward wholeness; part of that preparation process includes change. God's movement is not one of punishment but restoration and renewed life. Our journey with God toward becoming a new creation involves repentance, a turning toward life, and liberation.
My faith journey feels ever-evolving. It's like a winding trail with both challenging sections and clear markers guiding the way. Throughout my growth in faith, there are moments when I can experience the peace that God promises. Yet, at other times, the destination remains concealed by the mountain’s peak and the tall trees above. The glimpse of the promised places gives me hope along the way.
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| Ancient stone portal points to hazy mystery one step at a time by Cathy M |
During this Advent season, Malachi and Luke have inspired me to reflect on my preparations. In what ways am I participating with the prophets to ensure that the path of love is accessible for God’s creation? Am I permitting the Holy Spirit to transform me into the individual God has called me to be? The poetic language used by the authors suggests that we will not remain unchanged. The journey alters us, revealing glimpses of what we anticipate and enabling us to experience it along the way.
Preparing the pathway for the Holy One necessitates acting as peacemakers. The scripture readings from Sunday encourage us to reflect on our relationships: with God, our neighbors—including nature—and with ourselves. How do we express love towards our neighbors, ourselves, and creation? This understanding of interconnectedness implies that, as a peacemaker, I must regard the broader world as my neighborhood and acknowledge that we are all integral members of the same human family.
We are more aware of our connectedness than ever before. I once heard peacemaking is defined as a justice model that focuses on healing relationships and restoring communities rather than punishment. I think Shane Claiborne says it best when he wrote in the book “Common Prayer: A Liturgy for Ordinary Radicals,”:
“Peace is not just about the absence of conflict; it’s also about the presence of justice. … A counterfeit peace exists when people are pacified or distracted or so beat up and tired of fighting that all seems calm. But true peace does not exist until there is justice, restoration, forgiveness. Peacemaking doesn’t mean passivity. It is the act of interrupting injustice without mirroring injustice, the act of disarming evil without destroying the evildoer, the act of finding a third way that is neither fight nor flight but the careful, arduous pursuit of reconciliation and justice. It is about a revolution of love that is big enough to set both the oppressed and the oppressors free.”
Peacemaking is essential to the ministry of the church. Of course, it is rooted in Jesus’ ministry, especially in the beatitudes: Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called children of God. [Matthew 5.9] To be a peacemaker means to be committed to our neighbors, honoring everyone’s inherent dignity, and seeking to build a harmonious relationship with all of God’s creation.
Isn’t the journey of becoming a peacemaker significant as well? It encompasses peacekeeping and fostering environments where conflicts can be resolved in honest and brave ways. Additionally, it involves establishing policies and practices aimed at achieving both individual and collective liberation, ensuring smooth pathways for everyone [to use the language of Malachi and John].
Advent is a journey. It is also a time to become peacemakers. While the road or the way of the journey might be rocky, even traveling long distances in the wilderness, the goal is the promised land of God’s wholeness. God invites us to prepare a “smooth way” for the journey ahead.
So, friends and fellow peacemakers on this Advent journey, may we “Prepare the Way!” and choose the better path, the way of our God, leading us into deeper and fuller life today and always.
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| Mel A shared this for today's word, peacemaker. |
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| Glimpse by Hilary Paynter |
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