Daily Meditation for December 3, 2024

The prophet Isaiah gives an inspiring vision of what we now call the “peaceable kingdom.” He depicts a seemingly impossible scenario where rival species not only coexist, they are side by side. Isaiah pictures the wolf lying down with the lamb and the lion abiding with the sheep. This is beyond our grasp, knowing what we do about the traits of wildlife. However, there is another vision of a possible peaceable kingdom, this one comprising the human species. Can we humans with our differing cultures, genders, faiths, ethnicities also coexist and, better yet, choose to appreciate and not merely tolerate each other? For this to happen, peace and justice need to triumph. Only if and when we put our trust in God and work towards a world which encompasses everyone and gives everyone their due respect can we expect to experience a peaceable kingdom here and now.

By Carol Berg, OSB