This first weekday Mass of Advent puts before us Isaiah's great vision of peace throughout the world. As we move into Advent and the beginning of a new liturgical year, we are also beginning the last month of the calendar year. How shall we remember this year 2003? A year of war and terror, of lies and deceit. It is time once again for all humanity to listen to the prophecy of Isaiah: "They shall beat their swords into ploughshares and their spears into pruning hooks". It is worth noting that Isaiah's words are not a command but a prophecy. He is foretelling something that he sees will one day be true. How long must we wait? We must wait at least until we turn his words into an imperative, a command that will enlighten and guide the conscience of every human being on this earth. His words cannot begin to become true until each one of us undertakes the task of making them come true. Guided by today's Opening Prayer, let us not wait passively for Isaiah's prophecy to come true: let us wait by praying eagerly and joyfully.