The Violent Bear It Away

Noted American short story writer, Flannery O'Connor was fascinated by contradictions and paradoxes, hence, one of her most famous stories, The Violent Bear It Away, was based on a line from the Gospel of Matthew (cf. Mt 11: 12).  John the Baptist preached about the kingdom of heaven, a kingdom of justice and peace,  but Jesus reminded his followers that it suffers from violence, and the violent "are taking it away."  John himself was a victim of that violence, losing his head to the evil desire of Herodias and her weak husband/king, Herod.  And, as we know, Jesus suffered much violence at the instigation of the Pharisees, who used the Romans, noted for their brutality, to carry out their wishes.  This pattern continues today as Christians suffer violence from ISIS and less obvious persecutions.
We might even look into the battlefield of our own souls and see how split we are:  the good that I wish to do, I do not, and that which I do not wish to do, I do.  (Rm. 7:19),  The war with temptation sometimes rages with great violence, and, but for the grace of God, could bear us away.
Yet,  the words of Isaiah give us hope and the promise of an end to all violence:
Yes, the Lord shall comfort Zion
and have pity on all her ruins;
Her deserts he shall make like Eden, her wasteland like the garden of the Lord;
Joy and gladness shall be found in her,
thanksgiving and the sound of song.  (Is 51:3)

May the season of Advent help us find this garden of peace, joy, gladness thanksgiving and song.
Br Rene