Advent reflection for 2 December

Few words ever written have inspired as many people as Isaiah’s about turning swords into ploughshares. In a world torn apart by hatred and violence, the prophet calls us to a beautiful vision of what our world can be like when we allow ourselves to truly embrace the justice and healing of God’s reign.

It’s been more than two and a half years since the full-scale invasion of Ukraine, a conflict that has forced nearly 11 million people from their homes and left 6.2 million seeking refuge outside the country. Maria, her husband Stephan and their four children are among those forced to leave their homes behind. They travelled across the country, taking cover from heavy tank fire, facing down the barrels of guns at military checkpoints and warning their young children to keep quiet. “My dream,” says seven-year-old Yulia, “is to have peace over our heads.”

Now, living away from the front line, Maria and her family – and families like theirs – face the additional challenge of trying to stay safe through the freezing winter.

As we journey towards the 2025 Jubilee Year, Pope Francis has urged us all to become pilgrims of hope writing: “In this time, when the song of hope seems to give way to the clamour of arms, to the cry of many innocent wounded, and the silence of the countless victims of wars, we turn to God with our plea for peace.” (Message for World Day of the Poor 2024, #9)

Let’s pray today for peace throughout the world and commit to travelling as pilgrims of hope, actively building a world where everyone's needs are met and all can live in harmony. 

Advent prayer

God of peace,
we pray for our troubled world, so full of conflict and pain.
Give us grace to prepare for your coming
by being peacemakers in our homes, our communities
and our global family.
Amen.

Act

Pray for the gift of peace to bless us all, especially those who are facing conflict in whatever form.

Pray for peace