Second Week of Advent: The Week of Peace
The theme for the second week of Advent is peace. Too often our understanding of the word “peace” is limited to worldly peace – the absence of war. But the word peace – as proclaimed by the angels to the shepherds at the birth of Jesus – has a much more spiritual significance.
“Glory to God in the highest,
and on earth peace among men with whom he is pleased.”
Strife and Division as a Consequence of Sin
To fully understand the meaning of peace in Biblical terms, we have to first turn our attention to the Fall of humanity in Genesis 3. Genesis tells the story of Adam & Eve, who live in a relationship of perfect love. They are “both naked, and were not ashamed” (Genesis 2:24). But as soon as they eat of the Fruit of Knowledge of Good & Evil, they “realize that they are naked.” This realization isn’t a simple awareness of not wearing any clothes: “Oh my gosh! We’re naked!” It’s deeper than that. They now realize that being naked makes them vulnerable to being taken advantage of each other. Their perfect love has been damaged by selfishness.
This consequence of Original Sin is emphasized again by the “punishment” God gives to Eve: “. . . yet your desire shall be for your husband,and he shall rule over you.” This isn’t a punishment given by an angry God. It’s a statement of a consequence that has already happened. The perfect love Adam & Eve enjoyed before the Fall has been damaged, and in its place has come a relationship based on power.
The divisive effects of Original Sin continue to grow throughout the Old Testament. Cain kills Abel out of jealousy. Abram is afraid of being killed when he goes to Egypt – the human family is no longer a loving family. Polygamy becomes common practice, causing strife, division and jealousy even within marriage, which is supposed to be a sacramental sign of God’s love.
The Internal Strife of Sin
The true Biblical meaning of peace is the lack of internal strife caused by sin. Internal peace leads to peace in relationships. Look inside first.
Sin actually causes strife on many levels. It damages our relationship with God, with our brothers and sisters of the human family, and our relationship with Creation (which is a sacramental sign of our relationship with God).
While the effects of this strife are often visible externally, they are most keenly felt in the human heart.
The Bible talks about “division of heart,” “slavery to sin,” fear, worry, discontentment, envy, and anger. Yes, these conditions lead to lack of peace between people – and ultimately to war. But the primary effect we see talked about in the Bible is the spiritual sickness caused by sin.
A New Picture of Biblical Peace
So what is this “peace on earth” promised by the angels? What is our focus on this week of Advent?
Biblical peace starts with trust in God. Jesus teaches this in Matthew 6:25-34. Do not be anxious. Trust the Father.
Peace continues with deeper conversion of heart – turning away from sin and toward God.
And peace finds its perfection in being forgiven by Jesus and embracing His grace-filled call to love as He loves (John 13:34-35).
So when you hear the words of peace this week, don’t turn your mind first to world peace. Of course we want world peace. But it won’t happen by some overbearing miracle. God doesn’t work that way. He respects free will to much. And His plans are quite a bit bigger than worldly peace.
Think instead of ways you can cooperate more deeply with grace to make the peace of Christ a reality in your own heart and soul. How do you need to turn away from sinful selfishness and turn more completely toward love – toward God.
The peace of Christ be with you.
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