Following the suggested topics for the four weeks of Advent, this Sunday (December 8) focuses on our reflection on peace.
What does peace mean to us? What is peace? Depending on the situation, peace can be defined as “tranquility, harmony, security, prosperity, or well-being.” There are also different types of peace, including false peace, inner peace, peace with God, and peace with humanity and God’s creation.
The Hebrew word for “peace” is shalom. In Genesis 34:21, it refers to “men are friendly.” In 1 Kings 5:12, it describes the establishment of peace between nations, as seen in “peaceful relations between Hiram and Solomon, and the two of them made a treaty.” Psalm 85:8 says: “I will listen to what God the Lord says; he promises peace to his people, his faithful servants—but let them not turn to folly.”
Peace is a desired status for every society, and shalom is often tied to a covenant or promise that people keep. A familiar friend (literally, “friend of my peace” in Psalm 41:9) is someone with whom you are at ease, a trusted companion. “Peace” was a standard greeting (1 Samuel 25:6) and remains widely used in many cultures today.
Peace is a gift from God, emphasized in Isaiah 45:7: “I form the light and create darkness, I bring prosperity and create disaster; I, the Lord, do all these things.” Leviticus 26:6 states: “I will grant peace in the land, and you will lie down, and no one will make you afraid. I will remove wild beasts from the land, and the sword will not pass through your country.” In John 14:27, Jesus says: “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.”
Peace is directly related to the attitudes and actions of individuals. God said: “Turn from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it” (Psalm 34:14). Jesus said: “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God” (Matthew 5:9). The Apostle Paul said: “Let us therefore make every effort to do what leads to peace and to mutual edification” (Romans 14:19). These are just a few reminders of how to act and work for peace.
This Sunday’s Gospel reading, Luke 3:1-6, is about “preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins” (Luke 3:3), which should lead us to peace in our hearts and society.
John the Baptist preached repentance by giving “his people the knowledge of salvation through the forgiveness of their sins” (Luke 1:77). He indicated that repentance means:
- “Produce fruit in keeping with repentance. And do not begin to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father.’ For I tell you that out of these stones, God can raise up children for Abraham” (Luke 3:8).
- “Anyone who has two shirts should share with the one who has none, and anyone who has food should do the same” (Luke 3:11).
- “Don’t collect any more than you are required to… Don’t extort money and don’t accuse people falsely—be content with your pay” (Luke 3:13-14).
Bearing fruit worthy of repentance, sharing with those in need, and dealing honestly with people while avoiding abuse of power are essential for the “forgiveness of sins.” This is the true meaning of Advent—a time of preparation by responding to John the Baptist’s call so that “all flesh will see God’s salvation” (Luke 3:6).
At the close of Luke’s Gospel, Jesus reminded His disciples: “This is what is written: The Messiah will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day, and repentance for the forgiveness of sins will be preached in His name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem” (Luke 24:46-47). At Pentecost, the people asked Peter and the other apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?” Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins” (Acts 2:37-38).
“All flesh will see God’s salvation,” which should lead us to peace. Luke makes it clear that Christ has eliminated barriers to salvation for all people. However, we still live in a highly polarized world where people are divided by race, tribal and national origins, religion, education, politics, and wealth.
Above all, we are divided by class. The dominant classes—imperialists, big capitalists, and big landlords—stand in constant conflict with the dominant classes, including peasants, workers, and marginalized sectors. This class conflict is the root cause of societal unrest.
To realize genuine and lasting peace, we must abolish class divisions among people. The first step is to heed God’s call to repent and receive the forgiveness of sins.
God calls all people, in every land and of every persuasion, to repentance. Alongside repentance, God calls us to establish His reign, where oppression and exploitation by dominant classes no longer exist. Everyone must participate in building a friendly and peaceful society. Nobody is excluded.
The presence of peace among us indicates God’s blessing for obedience (Isaiah 32:17; Malachi 2:5), faith (Isaiah 26:3), and service (Matthew 25:31-46).
Believers are obligated to “let the peace of God rule” in their midst (Colossians 3:15). This means choosing to trust God’s promises rather than relying on ourselves and rejecting the peace He offers. Jesus gave His disciples peace based on the truth that He has overcome the world (John 14:27; 16:33).
While the world will continue to experience wars and class conflicts until Jesus establishes lasting peace (Isaiah 11:1-10), God offers peace to those who trust Him. Jesus took the chastisement of our peace (Isaiah 53:5) and made it possible for us to have peace with God.
Once His peace rules within us, we can share it with others, responding correctly and collectively to the need to transform a decadent society. May we become publishers of peace (Isaiah 52:7) and ministers of reconciliation (2 Corinthians 5:18) as we struggle with those who long for just and lasting peace.
