Homily – Second Sunday of Advent Year A

It has been 80 years since the end of the Second World War. I was reminded of this during the funeral of a long-time parishioner. He joined thousands who flooded the streets of Melbourne to mark this significant moment in history. Similar scenes took place in other parts of the world. With the devastation of war people wanted peace in concrete ways. Numerous treaties were signed between countries including the Parish Peace Treaties and Treaty of San Francisco. In the same year the war ended, the United Nations was formed.

When it comes to relations between countries things can change quickly. Alliances form and change. History has shown us that the greatest of enemies can become the most enduring of allies. Conversely, the most enduring of allies can turn into the worst of enemies. It goes to show the work for peace never ends; it is on-going.  

The first reading from the 2^nd Sunday of Advent, we hear God speaking through Isaiah. God’s vision is for peace and it will be realised in the time to come. Peace is presented in all of creation extending even to animals. The creatures that would normally tear each other apart are found side by side. This imagery is intended to make us see the impossible can be made possible:

The wolf lives with the lamb,

the panther lies down with the kid,

calf and lion cub feed together

with a little boy to lead them.

The cow and the bear make friends,

their young lie down together.

The lion eats straw like the ox.

The infant plays over the cobra’s hole;

into the viper’s lair

the young child puts his hand.

They do no hurt, no harm,

on all my holy mountain,

for the country is filled with the knowledge of the Lord as the waters swell the sea.

Our forebears made a sincere effort for peace out of the experience of conflict. For people of faith, God is peace, it is his nature. When we work for peace, in whatever form, we honour who God is.