Today is the first Sunday of Advent, 2022. We begin a new cycle of readings (Lectionary); we move into Cycle A that employs the Gospel of Matthew.

As for Advent, itself, we have the beautiful, hopeful words of the prophets:

“They shall beat their swords into plowshare and their spears into pruning hooks; one nation shall not raise the sword against another, nor shall they train for war again. O house of Jacob, come, let us walk in the light of the Lord!” (Isaiah 2).

Today especially, let us pray for peace in all the places in our world that are experiencing war. Come, let us walk in the light.