It's more fitting than ever to focus on peace since the Pearl Harbor attack happened on Sunday, December 7, 1941.
Christ ushers in a new age of peace, as the vision in the reading from Isaiah shows how animals that are naturally at odds with one another are in harmony, and even children and babies playing near the lair of dangerous animals.
It's not just that peace is in our world, but even more so, it's in our hearts as we heed teh call of repentance that St. John the Baptist proclaims. He called the people to a new attitude of the heart, and called out the presumption of the Pharisees, saying they needed to show their repentance.
With the right heart, we are all ready to receive the transformation that comes when the Holy Spirit baptizes us in His fire and transforms us. In fact, the first reading from Isaiah says the shoot that shall sprout from the stump of Jesse will have the Spirit of the Lord, with the various gifts of the Spirit.
Now, by faith in Christ, we can receive these same gifts and be under the power of His Spirit to advance the peace of His Kingdom in our world, in deep harmony with one another.
