They shall beat their swords into plowshares and their spears
into pruning hooks.
Isaiah 2:4
We live in a world where the Covid-19 pandemic has affected all
of our lives, turning us upside down and inside out. We talk about a “new”
normal, but no one really knows what that is. We are confronted as a
global community by global warming, countries at war with one another, and countries at war with themselves. Much of our population goes to bed
hungry and struggles to live in a safe environment because the threat of a
nuclear disaster is ever present, though it may be subliminal. What does
all of this have to do with Advent?
Advent is preparation time for us to take stock of our spiritual lives and
find out where we stand with God, neighbor, and self. All of us have swords
and spears in our lives; I know that I do in mine. The swords are nonacceptance of those around me as my brothers and sisters created in
God’s image and likeness; not taking care of the earth; not giving to the
poor or helping out the stranger in my midst; not visiting the lonely or
feeding the hungry. The spears are the backbiting that I do either alone or
with others; the neglect of those in harm’s way; not giving of myself.
It is time to turn all of these negatives into plowshares and pruning hooks;
that is, to cultivate a more Christian attitude toward my brothers and
sisters and let God help me to cut away that which hinders my being a
loving and caring person.
God, please help me to walk in your presence and ready myself for the
coming of our Savior. Amen.
Sr. Anne Kelly, a resident of Paul’s Run.
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