Monday of the First Week of Advent
(Isaiah 4:2-6; Matthew
8:5-11)
Advent mostly
celebrates the end of time. It looks
forward to the coming of Jesus to judge the world. There likely will be wailing
by those deemed as evil. But these are
not necessarily foreign peoples. Today’s first reading envisions all kinds of
people climbing the Lord’s mountain for instruction. Of course, Isaiah saw the pilgrims as learning
the Mosaic law. Christians see it
differently. They say that people come
to the holy city to learn about Jesus Christ.
The two resemble one
another. In a sermon on another mountain
Jesus said that he fulfilled the law. In
the process he focuses on love. However,
he does not smother action with sentiment.
Rather, he warns about showing off to win people’s praise. In today’s gospel Jesus commends the
centurion for not seeking what might be called a photo op. The centurion comes to Jesus to ask healing
for his servant. He does not care to be
seen welcoming the popular Jesus into his home.
Hopefully we are as
circumspect as the centurion. Like him we should seek only what is good for
others. Like him, as well, we should avoid
being seen doing good so others might praise us. If are motives are so pure, we will not be
judged harshly by Jesus when he comes.
