The Advent of Peace
Print Friendly Version| On the Road to Peace by John Dear S.J. | Tuesday, Nov. 28, 2006 |
| Vol. 1, No. 16 |
Advent renews my spirit every year because it invites new hope for a world in despair, light for a world in darkness, and peace for a world at war. Advent calls us to prepare anew for the coming of the God of peace and God's reign of peace on earth. We do that by working to end war and the causes of war, and making peace with everyone.
Since we begin Advent this upcoming weekend, I thought I'd share a new poem, "Advent," by my friend Fr. Daniel Berrigan, the longtime Jesuit peacemaker and poet. Ten years ago, I edited an anthology of Dan's poems, And The Risen Bread: The Collected Poems of Daniel Berrigan, 1957-1997, (Fordham University Press), but this poem comes from a new collection of Dan's recent writings over the last 15 years, which I alos edited, called Testimony: The Word Made Fresh (Orbis, 2004)
May his poem, and this holy season, give us new hope and inspire us to resist our government's wars and welcome the coming of peace on earth.
* * *
Advent
By Daniel Berrigan
It is not true that creation and the human family are doomed to destruction and loss --
This is true: For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son,
that whoever believes in him, shall not perish, but have everlasting life.
It is not true that we must accept inhumanity and discrimination,
hunger and poverty, death and destruction --
This is true: I have come that they may have life, and that abundantly.
It is not true that violence and hatred should have the last word,
and that war and destruction rule forever --
This is true: For unto us a child is born, and unto us a Son is given,
and the government shall be upon his shoulder,
And his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
the Everlasting, the Prince of Peace.
It is not true that we are simply victims of the powers of evil who seek to rule the world --
This is true: To me is given authority in heaven and on earth,
and lo, I am with you, even unto the end of the world.
It is not true that we have to wait for those who are specially gifted,
who are the prophets of the Church, before we can be peacemakers.
This is true: I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh,
and your sons and daughters shall prophesy,
your young shall see visions,
and your old shall have dreams.
It is not true that our hopes for the liberation of humanity, for justice, human dignity, and
peace are not meant for this earth and for this history --
This is true: The hour comes, and it is now, that true worshippers
shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth.
So let us enter Advent in hope, even hope against hope.
Let us see visions of love and peace and justice.
Let us affirm with humility, with joy, with faith, with courage:
Jesus Christ -- the Life of the world.
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Poetic, Public Theology!
Poetic, Public Theology!
How wonderful to begin our waiting for the feast of the first Advent as we move from our November lectionary time of learning to await the Second Advent, the coming of Christ in these end-times.
Each of Daniel Berrigan's six truth-tellings can be a signpost:
* Christ is Life
* Christ is Abundant Life
* Christ is Sovereign Counselor and Peacemaker
* Christ is Time over time
* All are in Christ
* Now is the Sabbath of the Lord
Whoever denies any one of these; what authority is theirs?
Thank you John Dear.
The Rev. Dr. E. McCoy
Ephesians (5:15-16)
"Be careful then how you live, not as unwise people but as wise, making the most of the time, because the days are evil. So do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is. "
Thank you so much, Fr. Dear.
Thank you so much, Fr. Dear. Those are such timely and beautiful thoughts, something much needed at a time in this country when it is so easy to be discouraged. "Hope against hope" is all we have sometimes. I'll definitely have to get this new anthology.
Soon we will be in the most joyous time of year and I think this year many of us who love peace do see a light ahead of us. I hope everyone has a joyous Advent!
Thank You very much Fr.
Thank You very much Fr. John, we need persons like you who can encourage us in a new way during these complicated times. I think we need to look at Advent and Christmas in a new Perspective, not the way dictated by consumerism and passivity.
May these words and messages of Danel Berrigan sink deep in our thoughts and hearts and actions.
PEACE BE WITH YOU!