First Sunday of Advent [a] December 1, 2013 Readings Isaiah 2:1-5 Romans 13:11-14 Matthew 24:37-44 Calendar Nov. 27 Dec. 5: Hanukkah Dec 1: Advent Season begins Dec. 1: World AIDS Day Dec. 2: International Day for the Abolition of Slavery http://www.un.org/en/events/slaveryabolitionday/ Dec. 2: Anniversary of the deaths of Maura Clarke, Ita Ford, Dorothy Kazel, and Jean Donovan in El Salvador http://irtfcleveland.org/about/churchwomenbiographies.shtml Dec. 3: International Day of Disabled Persons http://www.un.org/en/events/disabilitiesday/ Quotes They shall beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks; one nation shall not raise the sword against another, nor shall they train for war again. Isaiah 2:4 Justice, right reason, and the recognition of man s dignity cry out insistently for a cessation to the arms race. Human beings nowadays are becoming more and more convinced that any disputes which may arise between nations must be resolved by negotiation and agreement, and not by recourse to arms. We are hopeful that, by establishing contact with one another and by a policy of negotiation, nations will come to a better recognition of the natural ties that bind them together as human beings. Pope John XXIII, Pacem in Terris, 112,126,128 The arms race is a threat to our highest good, which is life; it makes poor peoples and individuals yet more miserable, while making richer those already powerful; it creates a continuous danger of conflagration, and in the case of nuclear arms, it threatens to destroy all life from the face of the earth. Page 1 of 5
It is absolutely necessary that international conflicts should not be settled by war, but that other methods better befitting human nature should be found. Let a strategy of non- violence be fostered. Hope in the coming kingdom is already beginning to take root in the hearts of people. The radical transformation of the world in the Paschal Mystery of the Lord gives full meaning to the efforts of people, and in particular of the young, to lessen injustice, violence and hatred and to advance all together in justice, freedom, kinship and love. The only war that we must all fight is the one against evil. Pope Francis, Sept. 10, 2013 Thoughts for your consideration Advent is a season to open our eyes and see, to see those who struggle or suffer, to see the injustice around us, to see the challenges in our world. Advent is also a season of hope. Isaiah calls us to be prepared for something great something extraordinary. Isaiah prophesizes that people will gather from disparate nations for something revolutionary and exciting. They shall beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks; one nation shall not raise the sword against another, nor shall they train for war again. Peace and nonviolence will reign. Today, war and violence continue in our world. o The war in Afghanistan continues after so many years. o Many other active wars continue in places Syria or the Congo and other places in Africa. o Billions of dollars are spent every year to prepare for war. o Various kinds of violence continue in cities and rural areas alike. o Millions experience domestic violence of various types. o In our world, 30 million people experience slavery. o In the United States, 60 million people own a combined arsenal of more than 200 million firearms. o So many basic human needs are still not being met. To prophesy an end to war and terrorism is an extraordinary thing. To prophesy a time when people will come together in peace is most unusual for so many things divide us. Our world is filled with competition and extraordinary striving to have more or to control more. People and nations resort to violence or the threat of violence. Page 2 of 5
We may be tempted to say that this revolution of peace cannot happen; that the disparate, competitive people of the world cannot work and live together; that war can never end; that people can never live in peace with each other; that economic and social justice will never happen. However, the gospel tells us to stay awake and be prepared. God will come at any time. We just have to be ready. Don t miss it. This coming will be a source of light and hope. Let us then throw off the works of darkness and put on the armor of light. Questions for Reflection in your Faith Sharing Group When have you experienced something great that was both unexpected and extraordinary? +++++ When have you experienced loving nonviolent action in the midst of conflict? Story The Mouse and the Light http://www.mideastweb.org/mouselight.htm Actions - Links December 1 is World AIDS Day. For more information go to http://www.avert.org/worldaid.htm or http://www.worldaidsday.org December 2 is the International Day for the Abolition of Slavery For information, go to: http://www.un.org/en/events/slaveryabolitionday/ For information about the Campaign to End Slavery in our Lifetime go to: http://www.notforsalecampaign.org/default.aspx Urge your congressional representatives to co- sponsor the International Violence Against Women Act. http://www.capwiz.com/womenthrive/issues/alert/?alertid=63007021&type=co Crazy Facts According to the Campaign to End Slavery in our Lifetime, 30 million people are enslaved today. http://www.notforsalecampaign.org/default.aspx According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, after drug dealing, trafficking of humans is tied with arms dealing as the second- largest criminal industry in the world. Combating this $32 billion- dollar- a- year industry takes enormous effort as well as a large framework of diligent abolitionists. Slavery is wrapped up in almost every industry s supply chain, tainting the food we eat, the clothes we buy and the electronics we love. http://www.notforsalecampaign.org/about/slavery/ Page 3 of 5
2.5 million people continue to be infected with HIV each year, with 2,400 young people newly infected every day. http://www.avert.org/world- aids- day.htm Prayers of Intercession Response: May we beat our swords into plowshares and our spears into pruning hooks. For an end to war, we pray. For an end to all the preparations for war, we pray. For an end to terrorism, we pray.. For an end to domestic violence, we pray. For an end to end to all slavery and oppression today, we pray. For the beginning of a new era of peace and reconciliation, we pray. For the beginning of a new commitment to address human needs, we pray. For a new and genuine commitment to the common good, we pray. Prayer - Meditation Below is a very partial list of places that have suffered from war and military violence over the last 60 years. Use the list to focus your prayers for peace. El Salvador Guatemala Mexico (Chiapas) Panama Nicaragua Colombia Argentina Peru Chili Falkland Islands Grenada Haiti Cuba Bosnia Kosovo Serbia Cyprus Israel Lebanon Palestine Algeria Sudan South Sudan Somalia Ethiopia Eritrea Liberia Sierra Leone Congo Rwanda Burundi South Africa Mozambique Angola Nigeria Iran Iraq Kuwait Pakistan India Kashmir Cambodia Laos Korea Vietnam Indonesia East Timor Fiji Tibet Chechnya Georgia Russia Korea United States Northern Ireland Afghanistan Ivory Coast Sri Lanka Nepal Honduras Syria Mali Egypt Chad Kenya Central African Republic Burma / Myanmar Page 4 of 5
Forgive us, O God, all the wars we have forgotten, all the preparations for more wars, all the violence within our nations and homes and families and neighborhoods. Lead us into active non- violence. Amen. IMAGE http://www.alaskapublic.org/2011/12/01/world- aids- day- 2011/ http://blog.lass.org.uk/2012/11/ Page 5 of 5