Bar. 5:1-9; Ps. 126:1-6; Phil. 1:4-6, 8-11; Lk. 3:1-6

“The peace of justice” is Jesus Christ.  We are to “prepare the way of the Lord, make straight his paths” called to evangelize his coming to “see the salvation of God.”  Because of our “partnership for the gospel” we are to live “the peace of justice”.  What is the “peace of justice”?  It is the good work the Lord has begun in us that we may be transformed into his peace and justice to others.  When we are just it is then that the peace of Christ is with us. 

It is not surprising that the Ten Commandments have more to say about what “thou shall not” do to avoid injustice than what we are to do to receive the peace of Christ.  This week the Supreme Count is addressing the issue of abortion law and both sides believe they stand for what is “just” and yet there can only be one just action that protects both the woman and the unborn.  The act of abortion is clearly recognized as ending the life of a child within the law and serves no justice to the child.  It also creates for the woman the scar both physical, emotional, and spiritual for a lifetime for seeking what appeared as an immediate solution to a crisis without recognizing that the solution itself would add to her long-term suffering for accepting the lies of the abortion proponents.  There is no lasting peace when we accept the injustice of abortion.  We prepare the way of the Lord when we stand for God’s justice and peace. 

One argument I heard from one of the Supreme Court Justice was that the issue of life pertained to religion.  Life is not an either or but a both and issue for religion speaks to the evil of killing while society lives by civil laws that protect life against murder in order to remain a society.  While some wish to create division by declaring this as a nation that separates “church from state”, humanity cannot exist as just without accepting the duality of faith and order in order to be at peace.  Just as we are a work in progress or in some cases a work that is growing in sin calling upon death, society is also a work in progress calling upon justice and peace or upon death and destruction. 

In the hands of God, we are a work in progress “until the Day of Christ Jesus” coming.  Advent is our preparation for his coming and good work builds on good work.  From the waters of baptism Jesus is our foundation coming in the timelessness of his ever presence and yet still to come in even greater glory building up his kingdom in his people, the good work of salvation.  “The peace of justice…has done great things for us; we are filled with joy not just for the work done in us but in anticipation of what is still to come. 

Many a saint look forward to their death as an opportunity to do even more in the kingdom of God for our salvation.  We are to remember them for their good work; pray for their intercession for even greater things in our world and in our lives and give thanks for the blessings we have received.  The Lord is ready to pour out his mercy, love, and gifts for those who search and seek will be filled with joy for the great things he has done and continues to do in us and for us.  We are all called to be saints and the work of sanctity is responding to his call for holiness in our works. Do all things with love!  Do all things with love and the peace of justice will give us “the fruit of righteousness” to go forth for the work of salvation. 

“The fruit of righteousness” comes with the gift of discernment what is good, just, and of value to our body, soul, and spirit.  The human flesh perceives that more is better and when we follow that deception, we become divided among ourself seeking to achieve more to satisfy our own self at the cost of others.  The fruit of discernment in the spirit recognizes we are filled with joy in the simplicity of life taking the good work the Lord is doing in us and giving the gift of ourselves, our love, our joy, our peace, our prayers in thanksgiving for the work he is doing in all of us.  It is in the simplicity of life that we are open to the greater work of the Lord in us. 

The Lord chose to bring salvation to the world one soul at a time and the harvest is full but the laborers are in decline left for others to do even less are responding to the call.  Without the peace of justice through Jesus Christ our hearts are restless seeking happiness and success from without.  If only we can achieve our goals, we will find happiness and peace is the misconception.  The error of this philosophy is that external goals are never a constant but an evolving process ever changing that cannot satisfy the thirst for something greater.  The peace of justice comes from within from who we become in the image of Christ. 

If today we enter into the justice of Jesus Christ, then we rest in his peace.  Jesus acted in justice with those he encountered and remained at peace for doing the will of the Father.  What is the justice of Jesus Christ?  It is the sermon on the mount to be “Blessed” in all our actions.  It is following the commandments in obedience to the law of the Lord.  It is to love God and neighbor as thyself.  It is hearing the voice of the Lord and responding by doing his will.  It is love for all and good will towards all. 

As we hear in the second reading the prayer for all is to “increase ever more…more in knowledge and every kind of perception, to discern what is of value…filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ”.  Christ is the way to grow in every kind of spiritual gift of justice to bring about his peace to the world.  We prepare the way of the Lord in our hearts and souls to see in the flesh the Lord’s salvation at work in us and through us. 

This is our Advent, to prepare the way of the Lord’s coming for even greater things in our life than before.  He comes to make all things new in us.  Let us receive him as the birth of a child born into us again for even greater things to come.  Advent is our anticipation of the work that is still to come in our unity to the Trinity, Blessed Mother Mary, the Church, all the saints and with each other when we offer “the peace of justice” to each other in all we do, say, and become.  Let us become more of the image of God and grow in call to holiness.  Let us become just in living the truth of God and less in following the relativity of the world.  Let us become the peace that comes from love of God and neighbor and less of the restlessness of our sinful nature.  Let us receive Christ this Advent to make all things new again.