JESUS, PEACE ON EARTH - One Bread, One Body, 12/20/2009

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Sunday, December 20, 2009, Fourth Sunday of Advent

Micah 5:1-4, Hebrews 10:5-10, Psalm 80:2-3, 15-16, 18-19, Luke 1:39-45
Link to Readings --> http://www.usccb.org/nab/122009.shtml

JESUS, PEACE ON EARTH

"He shall be peace." —Micah 5:4

The angels heralding Jesus' birth proclaimed "Peace on earth" as Peace
Incarnate entered the world (Lk 2:14). In doing the will of God the Father
(Heb 10:7), Jesus, the Ruler, brings peace to His people (Mi 5:1, 4).
Jesus our Peace (Eph 2:14) comes to bring peace. When He appeared to His
apostles on the evening of His resurrection, Jesus' first words were
"Peace be with you" (Jn 20:19).

How ironic and sad that Peace should be hunted down by the government as
an Infant (Mt 2:16), forced to flee as a Refugee to a foreign land (Mt
2:13ff), and made to live in poverty (2 Cor 8:9). Finally, Peace was
persecuted, brutalized, and crucified. Jesus is still hunted down and
crucified by present-day governments. For example, Jesus was ejected from
the American public schools. Decades later, some high schools hire armed
guards to try to keep the peace. How many acts of violence have been
committed in the public schools since Peace was thrown out? Jesus laments
to all who reject Him: "If only you had known the path of peace this day;
but you have completely lost it from view!" (Lk 19:42)

Do we really want peace on earth? Would we rather have worldly peace,
which is often merely the temporary cessation of war, or true "shalom"
peace, which overturns (see Jn 2:14ff) the world's systems, cultures,
societies, and lifestyles? True world peace can be achieved only by
opening our lives, homes, social structures, schools, institutions, and
governments to Jesus, Who is Peace (Eph 2:14).

Prayer: Jesus, "Prince of Peace" (Is 9:5), let there be peace on earth,
and let it begin with me receiving You as Lord of my life.

Promise: "We have been sanctified through the offering of the body of
Jesus Christ once for all." —Heb 10:10

Praise: "O Key of David, O royal Power of Israel, controlling at Your will
the gate of heaven!"

(This teaching was submitted by a member of our editorial team.)

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Rescript: In accord with the "Code of Canon Law", I hereby grant my
permission to publish "One Bread, One Body" covering the period from
December 1, 2009 through January 31, 2010
†Reverend Joseph R. Binzer, Vicar General of the Archdiocese of
Cincinnati, June 4, 2009

The rescript is a declaration that a book or pamphlet is considered to be
free of doctrinal or moral error. It is not implied that those who have
granted ecclesial permission agree with the contents, opinions, or
statements expressed.

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