1st WEEK OF ADVENT
Psalter: Week 1 / (Violet/White)
St. Juan Diego Cuauhtlatoatzin
Ps 147:1-2, 3-4, 5-6
Blessed are all who wait for the Lord.
1st Reading: Is 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.
Gospel: Mt 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, 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.
REFLECTION:
Isaiah‘s prophecy gives so much hope to the people waiting for the coming of the promised Messiah. He told his people that God will heal and comfort the people in their weeping and the land in its dryness. He assures them that God is merciful. Advent brings this hope to all who are waiting for the Lord.
Isaiah prophesied the messiah as a healer. The gospel today shows us how Jesus was healing. He did not only preach about the kingdom but “he cured every sickness and diseases.“ He made the experience the reign of God through His healing, coming not from the power He received, but, out of compassion and love of a shepherd‘s heart. Jesus wants to gather all the scattered people. This is the reason for His coming and dwelling among.
Jesus shared His power to His apostles to “drive the unclean spirits, heal the sick, raise the dead, clean the lepers.“ The power is not their own personal possession nor to hoard it for their own use. They were instructed: “Freely you received, freely give.“ The gift of one is a gift for everyone. They have to use their power especially for the lost, the last and the least. Jesus is our greatest gift. Let us share Him to others.
Daily Reflection
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Biblical Texts are taken from Christian Community Bible, Catholic Pastoral Edition (57th Edition) The New English Translation for the ROMAN MISSAL
With permission from the EPISCOPAL COMMISION ON LITURGY of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines
Readings and Reflections
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