It is not true that creation and the human family are doomed to destruction and loss —
This is true: For God so loved the world that He gave his only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have everlasting life.
It is not true that we must accept inhumanity and discrimination, hunger and poverty, death and destruction —
This is true: I have come that they may have life, and that abundantly.
It is not true that violence and hatred should have the last word, and that war and destruction rule forever —
This is true: Unto us a child is born, unto us a Son is given, and the government shall be upon his shoulder, his name shall be called wonderful councilor, mighty God, the Everlasting, the Prince of peace.
It is not true that we are simply victims of the powers of evil who seek to rule the world —
This is true: To me is given authority in heaven and on earth, and lo I am with you, even until the end of the world.
It is not true that we have to wait for those who are specially gifted, who are the prophets of the Church before we can be peacemakers —
This is true: I will pour out my spirit on all flesh and your sons and daughters shall prophesy, your young men shall see visions and your old men shall have dreams.
It is not true that our hopes for liberation of humankind, of justice, of human dignity of peace are not meant for this earth and for this history —
This is true: The hour comes, and it is now, that the true worshipers shall worship God in spirit and in truth.
So let us enter Advent in hope, even hope against hope. Let us see visions of love and peace and justice. Let us affirm with humility, with joy, with faith, with courage: Jesus Christ — the life of the world.
— Daniel Berrigan, S.J., Testimony: The Word Made Flesh (Orbis Books, 2004).
*** CORRECTION***
I leaned this evening from my friend Fr. John Dear that this poem was actually written by Allan Boesak of South Africa and not Fr. Daniel Berrigan. It was mistakenly attributed to Fr. Berrigan and included in one of his books. I apologize for my mistake.
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Image Credit: By File:NLN Dan Berrigan 2008.jpg: Thomas Goodderivative work: Innisfree987 – This file was derived from: NLN Dan Berrigan 2008.jpg:, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons
Interrupting the Silence 
Thank you for these most powerful reminders of who we are and why we were created.
Thank you Fr. Michael Marsh.
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Thank you Jane. Peace be with you,
Mike
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Thank you, Mike! I’ve posted it to my FB page. I give thanks for you and the ways you minister to so many besides your parish! Blessings and Love as we stagger through the combination of this Season and the daily news, Ann
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Thank you Ann. Advent blessings to you and your community.
Mike
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Hi! Many thanks for sharing this. I write in gratitude, as someone who has long appreciated and grown in faith from your ministry with words.
I’m also wondering if you might change the picture and focus on Dan Berrigan within your post. If that’s not possible, perhaps you could add a picture of Allan Boesak and a little more about his work and ministry in the South African anti-apartheid movement. He wasn’t perfect, but I believe providing more than a link to his story, especially given the racial context and history of violence, deepens the significance of the words and faith found in the Advent Credo and furthers the message you are sharing.
Blessings for this season, with gratitude for the Spirit at work in you.
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Laura, thank you very much for your thoughtful comment and encouragement to give more focus to Allan Boesak. I agree with you. I need to do. However, I am out town this week for a retreat and have limited internet access. When I get home next week I will update the post.
Peace be with you,
Mike
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Thanks, Fr Mike, I agree with Laura.
Prayers and blessings
Byron Samuel
St. Philip Church
Gordon’s Bay
South Africa
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Thank you so much for sharing these encouraging words with us. Last night the evil of the world threatened to get me down, but now I find that I can live in the true Advent spirit.
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Your apology is accepted, with gratitude. I enjoyed reading words from The Rev. Allan Boesak, thank you.
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