Monday of the First Week of Advent

Universal Salvation

Liturgical Cycle: A | Lectionary Cycle: II

Introduction

Today’s message speaks of universal salvation. Isaiah preaches that all are called to believe in God, to worship him, to live according to God’s plans and laws, and to enjoy his peace. Jerusalem stands here for God’s believing people. (In year A, another reading from Isaiah is taken, so as not to duplicate that of the first Sunday A: God will protect the remnant that has been faithful to him and live among his people.)

The centurion’s faith is remarkable. He is symbolic of the Gentiles who will be called, for the kingdom is open to all, without any privilege of race or culture. With Christ, salvation has become available to anyone of goodwill.

Opening Prayer
Lord God, Father of all,
in your Son Jesus Christ
you invite everyone and all to know and love you
and to live in your unending peace.
Keep alive in us the zeal
to bring the light of your truth
and the riches of your life and love to all,
without any distinction
of race, language or culture.
May everyone on earth come to know you
as the merciful Father of all
through our brother and Savior,
Jesus Christ our Lord.

First Reading

Isaiah 4:2-6

On that day,
The branch of the LORD will be luster and glory,
and the fruit of the earth will be honor and splendor
for the survivors of Israel.
He who remains in Zion
and he who is left in Jerusalem
Will be called holy:
every one marked down for life in Jerusalem.
When the LORD washes away
the filth of the daughters of Zion,
And purges Jerusalem's blood from her midst
with a blast of searing judgment,
Then will the LORD create,
over the whole site of Mount Zion
and over her place of assembly,
A smoking cloud by day
and a light of flaming fire by night.
For over all, the LORD's glory will be shelter and protection:
shade from the parching heat of day,
refuge and cover from storm and rain.

Responsorial Psalm

Psalm 122:1-2, 3-4b, 4cd-5, 6-7, 8-9

R. Let us go rejoicing to the house of the Lord.
I rejoiced because they said to me,
"We will go up to the house of the LORD."
And now we have set foot
within your gates, O Jerusalem.
R. Let us go rejoicing to the house of the Lord.
Jerusalem, built as a city
with compact unity.
To it the tribes go up,
the tribes of the LORD.
R. Let us go rejoicing to the house of the Lord.
According to the decree for Israel,
to give thanks to the name of the LORD.
In it are set up judgment seats,
seats for the house of David.
R. Let us go rejoicing to the house of the Lord.
Pray for the peace of Jerusalem!
May those who love you prosper!
May peace be within your walls,
prosperity in your buildings.
R. Let us go rejoicing to the house of the Lord.
Because of my relatives and friends
I will say, "Peace be within you!"
Because of the house of the LORD, our God,
I will pray for your good.
R. Let us go rejoicing to the house of the Lord.

Alleluia Verse

See Psalm 80:4

R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Come and save us, LORD our God;
Let your face shine upon us, that we may be saved.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel

Matthew 8:5-11

When Jesus entered Capernaum,
a centurion approached him and appealed to him, saying,
"Lord, my servant is lying at home paralyzed, suffering dreadfully."
He said to him, "I will come and cure him."
The centurion said in reply,
"Lord, I am not worthy to have you enter under my roof;
only say the word and my servant will be healed.
For I too am a man subject to authority,
with soldiers subject to me.
And I say to one, 'Go,' and he goes;
and to another, 'Come here,' and he comes;
and to my slave, 'Do this,' and he does it."
When Jesus heard this, he was amazed and said to those following him,
"Amen, I say to you, in no one in Israel have I found such faith.
I say to you, many will come from the east and the west,
and will recline with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob
at the banquet in the Kingdom of heaven."

Prayers of the Faithful

Let us pray that the Lord Jesus may be known and accepted by all. We say: Lord, hear our prayer.
– For people who drift through life without someone to believe in, that they may discover God and his Messiah, we pray:
– For the many cultures all over the world, that the gospel may enrich them, we pray:
– For peace and lasting friendship among nations, we pray:
Prayer over the Gifts
Lord God, bread and wine
food and drink, life and joy –
these you have destined for all
through your Son Jesus Christ.
Let it be a life and a joy
that cannot be taken away
and that we can make real among us
by the strength of him
who is our food and drink,
Jesus Christ our Lord.
Prayer after Communion
Lord, God of the promise,
you have nourished us
with the body of your Son.
By the strength of this food
make us the body of your Son to the world,
not on account of our merits
but for the sake of what you do in us.
Make visible in us
the mercy and justice of Jesus Christ,
that people may recognize his presence among us
and through him give you all honor and praise
now and for ever.
Blessing
“Many will come from east and west and eat with us at the table of the kingdom.” This is happening much in our day. Are we ready to respect and welcome them as equals with us before God? May Almighty God bless you and them, the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
REFLECTIONS 

Matthew 8:5-11

Faith is not about our merit

Here we encounter a profound interaction between Jesus and a centurion. The centurion approaches Jesus, seeking healing for his paralyzed servant. What stands out is the centurion’s remarkable faith. He recognizes Jesus’s authority, declaring that a mere word from him can bring healing. This acknowledgement astounds Jesus, who commends the centurion for having such extraordinary faith.

The centurion’s faith serves as a model for us. It demonstrates that faith transcends cultural and religious boundaries; it is a matter of the heart. This Roman centurion, an outsider to the Jewish faith, grasps the power and authority vested in Jesus.

This encounter challenges us to examine our own faith. Do we approach Jesus with such confidence and trust? The centurion’s humility is noteworthy – he doesn’t consider himself worthy for Jesus to come to his house. His focus is solely on the authority of Jesus.

Jesus’s response is significant. He not only commends the centurion’s faith but also highlights the inclusivity of God’s kingdom. Many will come from East and West, from different backgrounds and nations, to share in the kingdom, while others, even within the chosen people, may miss out due to a lack of faith.

This passage reminds us that faith is not about our merit but about recognizing Jesus’s authority. It calls us to approach Him with unwavering trust, acknowledging His power to bring healing and salvation. May we, like the centurion, have a faith that surpasses expectations, transcends boundaries, and aligns with the inclusive kingdom of God.

 

2 December 2024

Lord, only say the word, and I shall be healed.

As we enter the season of Advent, today’s readings highlight God’s infinite mercy and Hisvision for peace and restoration. In the first reading, the Prophet Isaiah envisions a future where devastations serve as a stepping stone to renewal. Even in times of tragedy, God’s saving plan unfolds, preserving His faithful remnant. Zion, the holy mountain of God’s presence, shines as a beacon of hope.  

Yet today’s Gospel challenges us to broaden our understanding of God’s reign. A Roman centurion—a symbol of power and an outsider to Israel’s faith—demonstrates profound humility and trust in Jesus. Despite cultural and religious barriers, his faith draws him to Christ, and his servant is healed. Jesus marvels at the centurion’s faith, declaring it greater than any he has found in Israel. In this moment, the Gospel reveals that God’s kingdom knows no boundaries; it is open to all who seek him with sincere hearts.  

This Advent, we are invited to emulate the centurion’s humility and faith, acknowledging Christ’s presence in both holy and everyday settings.   Similar to the Israelites rising toMount Zion, we require moments of stillness in the Church to meet God. However, our faith should also propel us into the marketplace of life, where unforeseen requests for assistanceand gestures of love manifest Christ in our world.  

We prepare for the coming of the Lord—not only at Christmas but in every moment where faith meets need, love crosses boundaries, and hope transforms lives.  

- How can I grow in humility and trust like the centurion?  

- Where is Christ calling me to bring his presence into the lives of others this Advent?  

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