Advent Reflections
Friday of the First Week of Advent
Gospel:
As Jesus passed by, two blind men followed him, crying out,
“Son of David, have pity on us!”
When he entered the house,
the blind men approached him and Jesus said to them,
“Do you believe that I can do this?”
“Yes, Lord,” they said to him.
Then he touched their eyes and said,
“Let it be done for you according to your faith.”
And their eyes were opened.
Jesus warned them sternly,
“See that no one knows about this.”
But they went out and spread word of him through all that land.
Reflection:
When we cry out to God, we should know that God hears us and responds to us. We may sometimes think that God does not respond to us, but God does. God responds to us in all our needs, day and night, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. When God responds, God responds the best way that God can and does. It is up to us to know that God responds in ways that God sees best for us. God responds in God’s own time and in God’s own way. We should not try to anticipate trying to figure out if God took care of our needs. We rest in the loving promise and gaze of a God who so patiently watches over God’s children waiting as a patient parent waiting for the love that God can share with us. God wants us to always know that God loves us. Can we love ourselves and God with eyes of faith? If we live in hope, we most certainly can.
Memorial of Saint Francis Xavier, Priest
Readings: Isaiah – Chapter 30 verses 19-21, 23-26 / Psalm 147 verses 1-6 / Matthew – Chapter 9 verses 35- Chapter 10 verses 1, 5A, 6-8
Readings for the Memorial of Saint Francis Xavier, priest: 1 Corinthians – Chapter 9 verses 16-19, 22-23 / Psalm 117 verse 1bc, 2 / Mark – Chapter 16 verses 15-20
Gospel:
Jesus went around to all the towns and villages,
teaching in their synagogues,
proclaiming the Gospel of the Kingdom,
and curing every disease and illness.
At the sight of the crowds, his heart was moved with pity for them
because they were troubled and abandoned,
like sheep without a shepherd.
Then he said to his disciples,
“The harvest is abundant, but the laborers are few;
so ask the master of the harvest
to send out laborers for his harvest.”
Then he summoned his Twelve disciples
and gave them authority over unclean spirits to drive them out
and to cure every disease and every illness.
Jesus sent out these Twelve after instructing them thus,
“Go to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.
As you go, make this proclamation: ‘The Kingdom of heaven is at hand.’
Cure the sick, raise the dead,
cleanse lepers, drive out demons.
Without cost you have received; without cost you are to give.”
Reflection:
One of my favorite psalms is Psalm 8. The words by the psalmist suggest that God has invited us to be co-heirs with God. This does not mean that we are greater than God, but that God has invited us, given us an invitation to share in this great gift of life, of creation. When we are invited to a wedding or a special family or friend event, our loved ones and friends want us to share with them in their celebration. The RSVP card must be filled out. We must answer the call and respond promptly. We may need some time, or we may send it back quickly. As our God knows no time and puts no due date on our answer to God’s request, nevertheless, the invitation has been given. The same way Jesus shares with God, we too share in this great calling. The only thing we have to do is respond. No stamp required. Return postage is already guaranteed.
Bishop Michael Theogene
Co-Pastor
The CACINA Catholic Parish of Saint Benedict &
Abbot of the Benedictines of Peace and Justice
The Catholic Apostolic Church in North America (CACINA)
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