Jesus has preferential option for the house of Israel,

An army captain of the Roman empire begs His to heal his servant.

His deep faith amazes Jesus.

His openness to address the needs even of those considered as pagans by His own people.

He does not withhold His help to people of other nationalities and faith. 

 

St. John of Damascus, priest

＊＊＊ 1st Reading ＊＊＊  

Isaiah 2:1-5

The vision of Isaiah,

Son of Amoz, concerning Judah and Jerusalem.

 

In the last days, the mountain of Yahweh's house shall be set over the highest mountains and shall tower over the hills.

 

All the nations shall stream to it, saying, "Come, let us go to the mountain of Yahweh, to the house of the God of Jacob, that he may teach us his ways and we may walk in his paths. For the teaching comes from Zion, and from Jerusalem the word of Yahweh.

 

He will rule over the nations and settle disputes for many people. They will beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks. Nation will not raise sword against nation; they will train for war no more. O nation of Jacob, come, let us walk in the light of Yahweh!"

 

Ps 122:1-2, 3-4, 4-5, 6-7, 8-9 Let us go rejoicing to the house of the Lord.

 

＊＊＊＊ Gospel ＊＊＊＊     

Matthew 8:5-11

When Jesus entered Capernaum, an army captain approached him, to ask his help, "Sir, my servant lies sick at home. He is paralyzed and suffers terribly." Jesus said to him, "I will come and heal him."

 

The captain answered, "I am not worthy to have you under my roof. Just give an order and my boy will be healed. For I myself, a junior officer, give orders to my soldiers. And if I say to one, 'Go!' he goes; and if I say to another, 'Come!' he comes; and if I say to my servant, 'Do this!" he does it."

 

When Jesus heard this, he was astonished; and said to those who were following him, "I tell you, I have not found such faith in Israel. I say to you, many will come from east and west and sit down with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob at the feast in the kingdom of heaven.

Gospel Reflection ：

"We are called to long for the coming of the kingdom." 

During the season of Advent, while most people are focused on preparing for and celebrating Christmas, we prepare to celebrate not just Jesus' birth in Bethlehem, but to look forward to his second coming. In Advent, we are called to long for the coming of the kingdom. Since we cannot long for what we cannot imagine, the readings of Advent offer glimpses of the kingdom of God.

 

In today's first reading, Isaiah shares his vision of the kingdom of God. This kingdom is marked by peace and unity. War is no more and the implements of war have been repurposed. Weapons that once killed human beings are now implements used to till the soil and produce food for the people. In a world beset by so much division among nations, classes, and even families, a place where division is replaced by unity and peace prevails is something worth longing for. May God bring us to his kingdom where we will be one in the Body of Christ.