Humble Open Peacemaking Effort (HOPE)

 The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today challenge us to reject indifference and approach our relationships with an attitude we observe in children of wonder, trust, and openness to love.

Our Lady of Hope Retreat Centre

The Reading from the Book of the Prophet Isaiah presents Judgment on Assyria.

* [10:5–34] These verses contain a series of oracles directed against Assyria. Verses 5–15 portray Assyria as simply the rod God uses to punish Israel, though Assyria does not realize this. The original conclusion to this unit may be the judgment found in vv. 24–27a, which continues the imagery and motifs found in vv. 5–15. Verses 16–23, because of the quite different imagery and motifs, may originally have been an insertion directed against Aram and Israel at the time of the Syro-Ephraimite War.

* [10:6] Impious nation: Judah. It was God’s intention to use Assyria merely to punish, not to destroy, the nation.

* [10:16] His fat ones: the strong men of the enemy army. (Isaiah, CHAPTER 10 | USCCB, n.d.)

Psalm 94 complains about oppression of the holy community by people within community

* [Psalm 94] A lament of an individual who is threatened by wicked people. The danger affects the whole community. Calling upon God as judge (Ps 94:1–2), the Psalm complains about oppression of the holy community by people within (Ps 94:3–7). Bold declarations of faith follow: denunciation of evildoers (Ps 94:8–11) and assurance to the just (Ps 94:12–15). The Psalm continues with further lament (Ps 94:16–19) and ends with strong confidence in God’s response (Ps 94:20–23). (Psalms, PSALM 94 | USCCB, n.d.)

In the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus declares Praise of the Father in revelation to the childlike.

* [11:25–27] This Q saying, identical with Lk 10:21–22 except for minor variations, introduces a joyous note into this section, so dominated by the theme of unbelief. While the wise and the learned, the scribes and Pharisees, have rejected Jesus’ preaching and the significance of his mighty deeds, the childlike have accepted them. Acceptance depends upon the Father’s revelation, but this is granted to those who are open to receive it and refused to the arrogant. Jesus can speak of all mysteries because he is the Son and there is perfect reciprocity of knowledge between him and the Father; what has been handed over to him is revealed only to those whom he wishes. (Matthew, CHAPTER 11 | USCCB, n.d.)

Greg Dyche quotes Elie Wiesel, Holocaust survivor and a Nobel Peace Prize laureate,

 

“The opposite of love is not hate, it’s indifference. The opposite of art is not ugliness, it’s indifference. The opposite of faith is not heresy, it’s indifference. And the opposite of life is not death, it’s indifference.” 

How quick I can shift my mindset and think “By my own power I have done it.” I am often the Assyrian Axe thinking I am a self-made man. I am also Judah with the plunder of the poor in my house. I’ve dressed it up of course. I don’t go and rob the poor directly, but I don’t always worry about who’s making my clothes, harvesting my food, or labeling my data. I get busy and become indifferent.

 

God is not indifferent. God sent His Son. I find comfort when Jesus says “All things have been handed over to me.” As silly as it can sound to say out loud, I can forget the first commandment and think I’m in charge. (Dyche, 2026)

Don Schwager quotes “Revealed to babes,” by Epiphanius the Latin (late 5th century).

 

"And he revealed these things to children. To which children? Not those who are children in age but to those who are children in respect to sin and wickedness. To them Jesus revealed how to seek the blessings of paradise and the things to come in the kingdom of heaven, because thus it was well pleasing before God that 'they should come from the east and the west and that they should lie down with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven; but that the sons of this worldly kingdom should be cast into the outer darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth (Matthew 8:11-12).'" (excerpt from INTERPRETATION OF THE GOSPELS 26) (Schwager, n.d.)

Friar Jude Winkler comments that Isaiah presents a prophecy about Assyria a powerful empire, and the conquest of the northern people of Israel as an agent of God but Assyria had become arrogant and had gone way beyond what God had intended. In the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus declares that God has revealed truth to the childlike who don’t have to figure it out but live in wonder. They are not analytical like adults, who strip away understanding with complications and lack of trust. Friar Jude notes that we develop Knowledge of the Father as the Son reveals who the Father is to those He wishes as we seek answers to “Who God is?” and “What He wants of us.”

The Word Among Us Meditation on Matthew 11:25-27 asks “What was the difference between the people of these towns and the people who received God’s revelation?” A “childlike” disposition. So let’s look at two qualities that help form this disposition—both in the disciples and in us.

Humility: When we’re humble, we see that we are completely dependent on God. The disciples were humble enough to understand that they didn’t have all the answers… 

Openness: A humble attitude helps us to be open—to be ready to hear and embrace God’s word. It enables us to be docile and teachable…

Like any good father, our heavenly Father wants us to know him and to feel free enough to draw near to him so that he can teach us. We know that the Father sent his only Son—the second Person of the Trinity, the One who has intimate knowledge of him and calls him Abba—to reveal himself to the world. All he’s looking for are humble, open hearts.

So let’s come to our Father today with a childlike attitude. Let’s come with humility, knowing that we don’t have all the answers. And let’s come with openness, willing to be taught and to allow our ideas to be challenged and reshaped.

“Father, give me the grace to become like a child before you.” (Meditation on Matthew 11:25-27, n.d.)

Father Richard Rohr, OFM, comments that this beatitude, “Blessed are the peacemakers: they shall be recognized as children of God. ( Matthew 5:9 ) places Jesus in a lineage of peacemakers who reject the false promises of violence. Fr Richard introduces pastor Rich Villodas who makes a distinction between peacemaking and peacekeeping.

Peacemakers are those who work for right relationships at the expense of their comfort. We don’t usually choose this route, nor do we understand what it really means. Jesus does not say, “Blessed are the peacekeepers.” [But] what’s the difference between peacekeeping and peacemaking?…

Peacekeeping tries not to rock the boat, avoids conflicts, and is superficial. It ensures that no one gets upset. That’s not real peace. When, out of fear, we avoid conflict and appease people, we are false peacemakers….

Here’s the thing with peacekeeping: sooner or later, it brings chaos—not peace—into your life. Peacemaking is quite different. Peacemakers don’t avoid conflict; in fact, sometimes peacemaking creates it. We see this with Jesus. As the epitome of love, he wasn’t always nice—at least not in the way modern people visualize niceness….

He burst into the temple and flipped over tables because poor, vulnerable people were being taken advantage of (see Matthew 21:12). When he saw the Pharisees putting yokes of religious condemnation on people, he confronted the religious leaders with harsh words. As Jesus’s life reveals, peacemaking is often met with resistance. [2] (Rohr, n.d.)

We are truly blessed to have children in our lives who are open to the wonder of learning and living in humble trust that making peace brings a better day for all.

References

Dyche, G. (2026, July 15). Daily Reflection July 15, 2026 | Creighton Online Ministries. Creighton Online Ministries. Retrieved July 15, 2026, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/daily-reflections/daily-reflection-july-15-2026 

Isaiah, CHAPTER 10 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved July 15, 2026, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/isaiah/10? 

Matthew, CHAPTER 11 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved July 15, 2026, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/matthew/11? 

Meditation on Matthew 11:25-27. (n.d.). Word Among Us. Retrieved July 15, 2026, from https://wau.org/meditations/2026/07/15/1623529/ 

Psalms, PSALM 94 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved July 15, 2026, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/94? 

Rohr, R. (n.d.). Peacemaking Is Not Keeping the Peace. Center for Action and Contemplation. Retrieved July 15, 2026, from https://cac.org/daily-meditations/peacemaking-is-not-keeping-the-peace/ 

Schwager, D. (n.d.). Heavenly Things Revealed to Infants. Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved July 15, 2026, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/ 

Kingdom of Hope

The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today invoke our Advent hope in transformation of the greed and selfishness of our society through our “yes” to Jesus Way.

House of Hope

The Reading from the Book of the Prophet Isaiah proclaims The Ideal Davidic King.

* [11:1–16] Isaiah 11 contains a prophecy of the rise of a new Davidic king who will embody the ancient ideal of Davidic kingship (vv. 1–9), an elaboration of that prophecy in a further description of that king’s rule (v. 10), and a prophecy of God’s deliverance of the chosen people from exile and cessation of enmities (vv. 11–16).

* [11:1–9 (10)] Here Isaiah looks forward to a new Davidide who will realize the ancient ideals (see Ps 72). The oracle does not seem to have a particular historical person in mind.

* [11:1] Shoot…stump: the imagery suggests the bankruptcy of the monarchy as embodied in the historical kings, along with the need for a new beginning, to spring from the very origin from which David and his dynasty arose. Jesse: David’s father (cf. 1 Sm 16:1–13).

* [11:2–3] The source of the traditional names of the gifts of the Holy Spirit. The Septuagint and the Vulgate read “piety” for “fear of the Lord” in its first occurrence, thus listing seven gifts.

* [11:6–9] This picture of the idyllic harmony of paradise is a dramatic symbol of universal peace and justice under the rule of the new Davidic king. The peace and harmony even among carnivores and their natural prey in this description suggest a paradisiac aspect of the reign of the new king. (Isaiah, CHAPTER 11 | USCCB, n.d.)

Psalm 72 declares the Israelite king, as the representative of God, is the instrument of divine justice.

* [Psalm 72] A royal Psalm in which the Israelite king, as the representative of God, is the instrument of divine justice (Ps 72:1–4, 12–14) and blessing (Ps 72:5–7, 15–17) for the whole world. The king is human, giving only what he has received from God. Hence intercession must be made for him. The extravagant language is typical of oriental royal courts. (Psalms, PSALM 72 | USCCB, n.d.)

The Gospel of Luke proclaims Praise of the Father and The Privileges of Discipleship.

* [10:21] Revealed them to the childlike: a restatement of the theme announced in Lk 8:10: the mysteries of the kingdom are revealed to the disciples. See also note on Mt 11:25–27. (Luke, CHAPTER 10 | USCCB, n.d.)

Tamora Whitney comments that the reading from Isaiah talks about the importance of this new beginning. Something totally new and totally different is coming: Not just a new birth, not just any baby, but a new idea. Everything will be different. He will rule with wisdom, filled with the spirit of the Lord. He will look beyond appearances and will see into the soul. He will be just. And the world will be changed. Enemies will get along, and the world will be at peace.

The psalm reiterates this time of peace and belonging. The poor will have justice, the wicked will be held to account, and peace will prevail. Unfortunately, we are not currently living in this peaceable kingdom. Advent is a season of waiting and hoping. I heard a wonderful Advent sermon a few years ago about how Advent is even more about the second coming than the first coming.

The first coming was amazing and perhaps the most important thing ever. And it did change the world. But enemies are still not getting along. And the world is not at peace. The poor do not have justice and the wicked are not held to account. Not in this world.

But Advent is still a time of hope. In this season of hope and waiting, we are still waiting for that justice and that peace, and a promise of better days to come. (Whitney, n.d.)

Don Schwager quotes “The Seven Gifts of the Spirit,” by Ambrose of Milan, 339-397 A.D.

"So, then, the Holy Spirit is the river, and the abundant river, which according to the Hebrews flowed from Jesus in the lands, as we have received it prophesied by the mouth of Isaiah (Isaiah 66:12). This is the great river that flows always and never fails. And not only a river, but also one of copious stream and overflowing greatness, as also David said: 'The stream of the river makes glad the city of God' (Psalm 46:4). For neither is that city, the heavenly Jerusalem, watered by the channel of any earthly river, but that Holy Spirit, proceeding from the fount of life, by a short draught of whom we are satiated, seems to flow more abundantly among those celestial thrones, dominions and powers, angels and archangels, rushing in the full course of the seven virtues of the Spirit. For if a river rising above its banks overflows, how much more does the Spirit, rising above every creature, when he touches the low-lying fields of our minds, as it were, make glad that heavenly nature of the creatures with the larger fertility of his sanctification.

And let it not trouble you that either here it is said 'rivers' (John 7:38) or elsewhere 'seven Spirits,' (Revelation 5:6) for by the sanctification of these seven gifts of the Spirit, as Isaiah said, is signified the fullness of all virtue; the Spirit of wisdom and understanding, the Spirit of counsel and strength, the Spirit of knowledge and godliness, and the Spirit of the fear of God. One, then is the river, but many the channels of the gifts of the Spirit. This river, then, goes forth from the fount of life." (excerpt from ON THE HOLY SPIRIT 1.16) (Schwager, n.d.)

The Word Among Us Meditation on Isaiah 11:1-10 notices what Isaiah doesn’t mention. This king would not be known for his mighty army or his great wealth. He would be known for his compassion and his commitment to lifting up the lowly (Isaiah 11:3-5).

Earthly kings come and go. But Jesus is still with us. He is still ruling over his creation with a shepherd’s staff. He is still offering to lift us up, to redeem us, and to heal us. So contemplate his goodness, his kindness, and his love. He is the “signal for the nations,” so let him draw you to himself (Isaiah 11:10).

“Jesus, thank you for being my King. Lord, I surrender to the reign of your mercy and love!” (Meditation on Isaiah 11:1-10, n.d.)

Friar Jude Winkler comments in the first reading from Isaiah the people are living in a difficult time as the kings are not following what God wanted. At a point, Isaiah talks about the Messiah with the Spirit of the Lord upon him as the Presence of God with gifts and fear of the Lord is then translated as piety and the seven gifts, the perfect number, indicated an unlimited number of gifts. Justice will have an impact on people and nature and peace not ruin will be on God’s holy mountain. Jesus expresses gratitude for the mystery revealed to the childlike, accepting things as they are not and trying to figure it all out. Accept the mystery. Life is a mystery to be lived. One with God is childlike: A gift that prophets and kings have desired. Friar Jude cites Eucharist and Reconciliation. Like children we should be thankful of Jesus' presence to us.

Father Richard Rohr, OFM, envisions our “yeses” as a response to God’s first yes to us.and asks “Are we ever completely ready to echo God’s “yes”?” 

Probably not, but I am convinced that the struggle is good and even necessary. Struggle carves out the space within us for deep desire. God both creates the desire and fulfills it. Our job is to be “the desiring”. For God to work in our lives, our fiat, like Mary’s “Let it be done unto me, according to your word” (Luke 1:38), is still essential.

We all find ourselves with this surprising ability to love God and to desire love from God, often for no reason in particular. That doesn’t happen every day, truly, but hopefully arises more often as we learn to trust and rest in life. Moments of unconditional love sort of slip out of us and no one is more surprised when they happen. But when they do, we always know we are living inside of a Larger Life than our own. We know, henceforth, that our life is not about us, but we are about God. (Rohr, n.d.)

We, like Isaiah, may be frustrated by leadership that is not advocating peace and love for all of humanity and nature. We seek the guidance of the Spirit to transform our attitude to the "childlike" disposition presented by Jesus.

References

Isaiah, CHAPTER 11 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved December 2, 2025, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/isaiah/11?1 

Luke, CHAPTER 10 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved December 2, 2025, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/luke/10?21 

Meditation on Isaiah 11:1-10. (n.d.). Word Among Us. Retrieved December 2, 2025, from https://wau.org/meditations/2025/12/02/1438160/ 

Psalms, PSALM 72 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved December 2, 2025, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/72?1 

Rohr, R. (n.d.). Daily Meditations — Center for Action and Contemplation. Center for Action and Contemplation. Retrieved December 2, 2025, from https://cac.org/daily-meditations/responding-to-gods-yes/ 

Schwager, D. (n.d.). Blessed Are the Eyes Which See What You See! Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations – Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved December 2, 2025, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/ 

Whitney, T. (n.d.). Daily Reflection. Creighton Online Ministries: Home. Retrieved December 2, 2025, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/daily-reflections/daily-reflection-december-2-2025