St. Ambrose, bishop  & doctor 

  ＊＊＊ 1st Reading ＊＊＊

 Isaiah 30: 19-21, 23-26

 O people of Zion, who dwell in Jeru­salem, you will weep no more.

When you cry, he will listen; when he hears, he will answer.  When the  Lord  has  given  you the bread of anguish and the water of distress, he, your teacher will hide no longer.   Your own eyes will see him, and your ear will listen to his words behind you: “This is the way, walk in it.”

 He will then give rain for the seed you sow and make the harvest abundant from the crops you grow. On that day your cattle will graze in wide pas­tures.   Your beasts of burden will eat silage tossed to them with pitchfork and shovel.

 For on the day of the great slaughter, when fortresses fall, streams of water will flow on every mountain and lofty hill.  The light of the moon will be as the light of the sun, and the light of the sun seven times greater, like the light of seven days, when Yahweh binds up the wounds of his people and heals the bruises inflicted by his blows.

 

Ps   147   Blessed are all who wait for the Lord.

 

＊＊＊＊ Gospel ＊＊＊＊

 Matthew 9: 35-10: 1, 5a, 6-8

 Jesus went around all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the good news of the Kingdom, and he cured every sickness and disease.  When he saw the crowds he was moved with pity, for they were ha­rassed and helpless like sheep without a she­pherd.

Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is abundant but the workers are only few.   Ask the master of the harvest to send workers to gather his harvest.”  Jesus called his twelve disciples to him, and gave them authority over unclean spirits, to drive them out, and to heal every disease and sickness.

Jesus sent these twelve on mission, with the instructions: “Do not visit pagan territory and do not enter a Samaritan town. Go instead to the lost sheep of the people of Israel.

Go instead, to the lost sheep of the people of Israel. Go, and proclaim this message: The kingdom of heaven is near.  Heal the sick, bring the dead back to life, cleanse the lepers, and drive out demons. Freely have you received, freely give.

 

Gospel Reflection：

“HIS HEART WAS MOVED WITH PITY FOR THEM”

Jesus is constantly on the move, teaching in synagogues, proclaiming the Gospel of the kingdom and curing every disease and illness. Jesus has deep compassion on all those who are like sheep without a shepherd. When we were baptized, we become coworkers in the vineyard of the Lord.

Every one of us is called to be a laborer with the Lord. I could be the only one who could reach a corner of my own part in the harvest field: my family, my neighbors, my office mates and others who came into my life. I may be the only person who could bring Jesus’ healing and compassion into their lives.

Let them know that Christmas is all about sharing in the works of Jesus. Heal those sick fiends by your sympathy and support. Give life and vigor to them. They are physically alive but they have stopped living wonderful and meaningful lives. Let them know that they are accepted and loved by God.

The spirit of Christmas impels us to act on our baptismal promises as coworkers of the Lord. be a gift to others. Share the spirit of Christmas by your own spiritual and corporal works of mercy.