Second Sunday – Candle of Peace

Reflection

In this busy season, where the world’s distractions seem more pronounced, we may struggle to feel a sense of true peace. Yet, the peace that Christ brings is not dependent on the external world. It is a peace that resides deep within, no matter what is happening around us. As we light the second candle of Advent, we remember the prophecy from Isaiah 9:6, which declares: “For to us a child is born, to us a son is given…and he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” Jesus is the Prince of Peace, and in His coming, He makes peace available to all who seek it.

As we enter the second week of Advent, we are invited to reflect on the theme of Peace. This week, the Peace Candle, or Bethlehem Candle. The scriptures call us to prepare not just for His birth, but for the peace He offers—peace that surpasses understanding and transcends all circumstances. Peace is not merely the absence of conflict; it is the presence of God’s loving, healing, and reconciling grace. During this time of Advent, we are asked to reflect on the peace that Christ offers. As the world becomes busier and the days grow colder, we can feel the stress of the season in our hearts and minds. Yet, Advent calls us to prepare for the coming of Christ, not just in the material sense, but in our hearts as well. This preparation includes a deep reflection on the peace that Christ came to bring. In the midst of our worries, anxieties, and conflicts, Christ’s peace can be a source of refuge. His peace is not passive or weak, but active and powerful, offering healing, restoration, and wholeness to our lives.

As we reflect on the peace of Christ, we are also called to be peacemakers in our own lives. In Matthew 5:9, Jesus tells us, “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.” If we truly wish to follow Christ, we must reflect His peace in how we interact with others. Peace is not merely an inner state; it should overflow into our relationships, communities, and the world around us. This means seeking reconciliation where there is division, extending forgiveness where there is bitterness, and living with patience and kindness even in times of frustration. In a world that often feels divided and fractured, we are called to be instruments of peace. This begins with our hearts. When we experience God’s peace in our lives, it naturally overflows into our actions. Peace is not something we can manufacture on our own; it is a fruit of the Spirit. But we must be open to receiving it, and then allowing it to guide us in all that we do.

As we light the Peace Candle this week, let it be a reminder that Christ’s peace is not something we need to search for; it is already here. The Prince of Peace has come, and He offers His peace freely to all who will receive it. We need only to invite Him into our hearts, to trust in His love, and to allow His peace to reign in our lives

Let us take a moment to pray, reflecting on the peace Christ brings:

Heavenly Father, we thank You for the peace He brings to our world and to our hearts. In the midst of our busy lives, we ask that You help us to slow down and embrace the peace that comes only from You. May Your peace calm our anxious hearts and heal the wounds of division in our lives. Lord, we also pray that Your peace would be reflected in the way we live. Help us to be peacemakers, extending forgiveness where there is hurt and seeking reconciliation where there is conflict. May we be instruments of Your peace in our families, our communities, and our world.

As we prepare for the coming of Christ, let us open our hearts to the peace He offers. May Your peace guide us, sustain us, and be a light to those around us. We pray that through the power of Your peace, we may bring hope to a troubled world.

Sr. Joshi Joseph CCR