Following Prince of Peace

By Tony Staley
Compass Editor

Some 2,700 years ago, the prophet Isaiah prophesied about the coming of a Messiah. He wrote: "For a child is born to us, a son is given us; upon his shoulder dominion rests. They name him Wonder-Counselor, God-Hero, Father-Forever, Prince of Peace" (Is 9:5)

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Seven hundred years later, when Jesus was born in Bethlehem, an angel proclaimed his coming to shepherds, then a multitude of the heavenly host sang: "Glory to God in high heaven, peace on earth to those on whom his favor rests."

In his earthly ministry, but particularly after his resurrection, Jesus - the Prince of Peace foretold by Isaiah and sung about by a heavenly choir - repeatedly told his disciples: "Peace be with you."

But in the 2,000 years since, Earth has been torn by countless wars. Right now, the United States is fighting wars in Iraq and Afghanistan that have claimed the lives of more than 3,000 Americans and tens of thousands of Iraqis and Afghans. Not only is there no peace in sight, both wars are escalating.

In mid-2005, there were eight major wars going on in the world and two dozen more local or regional wars.

Where is the peace Jesus talked about and lived? Has he failed us? No. It's more that we've failed him. We must remember that while Jesus is the Son of God, he was also human, like us in everything but sin. He was not a golem - the creature of Jewish folklore who could overcome any enemy.

Jesus, by becoming one of us - being baptized in the Jordan, experiencing the criticism of the leaders of his day, being betrayed by his closest followers, and dying for our sake in the most humiliating way possible - forged a partnership with us.

If we are to be his partners we must: forgive our enemies, eat with outcasts and our critics, love others and live as people of peace - as Jesus told us and showed us. Then we, like Mary, may joyously proclaim: "My soul magnifies the Lord."

Merry Christmas.