2nd Sunday of Advent, December 8, 2019 - A Voice Cries Out ... for Peace

Sometimes the cry is that of a lone voice;

            sometimes, the voices of many swelling together as one.

The cry expresses a deep longing – a longing rooted deep in the core of one’s being.

            It is a longing

–        for that which is missing

–        for that which has been lost

–        for that which has never been, but should be – could be.

The cry expresses the heart’s deep longing for peace –

            for the absence of turmoil and confusion

for the absence of suspicion and distrust

            for the absence of misunderstandings and personal attacks

for the absence of hurts and unresolved issues

            for the absence of conflict and strife

for the absence of division and alienation

            for the absence of violence and its destruction.

The cry expresses the heart’s deep longing for wholeness –

            for freedom from fear and worry

            for freedom from criticism, judgment, and rejection

            for freedom to live beyond pretense and superficiality

            for freedom to offer one’s self in relationship to another

            for freedom to explore and discover, to learn and grow

            for freedom to live fully with creativity and joy.

The cry expresses the heart’s deep longing - 

            a longing for place that is safe

a longing for home

a longing  for God.

And so the cry is more than a longing cry.  It is a prayer -

            a calling out to One who understands,

            a turning to One who is compassionate,

            a trusting of One who comforts.

And as a prayer, the cry leads us to that for which we long –  to peace

to a peace deep within

to a peace the world cannot give

to a peace that cannot be explained.

As a prayer, the cry leads us to God – and brings us home.

Peace is a mark of the people of God –

            peace as one rests in the grace, the forgiveness, the acceptance of God

            peace within the depths of one’s own heart – cleansed of the poison of guilt and shame and self-hate

            peace as life is shared deeply and meaningfully in spiritual friendship with another.

Peace is the mark of the people of God –

            who long for a world at peace – shaped by the truth of God

            who live as peacemakers in the world seeking to bring to reality the time in which

                        the wolf shall live with the lamb,

                        the calf and lion will lie down together

                        and the earth is full of the knowledge of the LORD.

During this Advent season, we remember that we are a people of peace.