This second week of Advent invites us to pause and breathe in the promise of peace. In a season often marked by hurry and noise, the Church gently calls us to remember that true peace is not the absence of struggle but the presence of God.
During Morning Prayer (often referenced as the Liturgy of the Hours), I was struck by the words from Psalm 52:
“But I am like a growing olive tree in the house of God. I trust in the goodness of God for ever and ever.”
The olive tree is a symbol of endurance, rootedness, and fruitfulness. It grows slowly, but with time it becomes strong, able to withstand drought and storm. To be like a growing olive tree in God’s house is to live with deep trust—knowing that peace is not something we manufacture but something we receive as we remain planted in His presence.
Advent peace is not fragile; it is resilient. It is the quiet strength that comes from trusting in God’s goodness, even when the world feels uncertain. Like the olive tree, we are invited to grow steadily, to let our roots sink deeper into prayer, and to bear fruit that blesses others.
This week, may we rest in that peace, allowing God to cultivate in us a trust that endures “for ever and ever.”
Smitten With Goodness 