| December 24, 2000 Micah 5:1-4 + Hebrews 10:5-10 + Luke 1:39-45 |
| Jeremiah, Baruch, Zephaniah, and Micah have served as our guides through the season of Advent. Jeremiah, a prophet of Justice, Baruch a Prophet of Mercy, Zephaniah our prophet of Joy leading us now, hours away from our celebration of Christmas, to Micah, the prophet of Peace. |
| He had a very unique insight, perhaps writing as he did during a time when Jerusalem was under siege by an Assyrian King. He seems to have understood that might and power do not, in themselves have the potential of bringing peace. His insight is, to this day, being confirmed all around us. The land we call “Holy” is, even as in his day, war tom and under siege by forces of great might. They have guns, and bombs. They have power and military might, but they have no peace. Micah’s insight is that it’s because they have no God. |
| Without a vision of the Kingdom, without the conviction that real and true peace comes from God and is only possible where God is present there will never be Peace. Micah would tell us that this is exactly what is wrong in Ireland, in Bosnia and Croatia, in the Middle East, and too often as well, in the cities of this land in it’s homes. The presence of God in the hearts of people is a power different from the kind of might and force that continues to try to force, coerce, and manipulate peoples into submission. |
| The presence of God in the hearts of people is a power of forgiveness and of service. It is humble and respectful and acknowledges the face of God in the lives of all others. Without God, there is no peace there is only repression and resentment. Memory of harm and wrong done is greater than the memory of God’s love.Revenge heaps wrong upon wrong, and denies the face of God in the eyes of an offender |
| Micah speaks of Peace, a Peace that is not possible without the Justice of Jeremiah, the Mercy of Baruch, and the Joy of Zephaniah. Our perspective as a people called to faithfulness must change the way we perceive power and weakness. Early in his Gospel, Luke begins to reveal this perspective in the prayer of Mary, the Magnificat. The piety of the canticle which so beautifully captures the piety of Macy, the first of the disciples of Jesus, exalts the lowly and sees the powerful pulled down. It sees the barren bear fruit, and anticipates the victory of the weak because of their trust in God. |
| Justice, Mercy, Joy and Peace:qualities of the Kingdom born among us.qualities of the people who believe that what was spoken to us by the Lord would be fulfilled.It is the promise of Peace that brings this Advent to a close.It is the promise of Peace that give us cause to celebrate the Feast of tomorrowIt is the promise of Peace that motivates us to forgiveness, calls us to Justice, teaches us Mercy, and leads us to Joy |