Monday of the First Week of Advent
(Isaiah 4:2-6; Matthew 8:5-11)
A man was imprisoned for misappropriating public money. The sentence was long enough to chasten him. He was also humbled by the support he
received from his family during his incarceration. This man’s experience
mirrors the lessons of today’s Scripture readings.
Isaiah proclaims a renewed Jerusalem after her defeat,
demolition, and exile. Those who have
survived the punishment are called “holy.”
The centurion in the gospel manifests Jerusalem’s holiness. Strikingly, he is a Roman. Yet he recognizes in Jesus, the Lord’s
prophet, a power beyond sword or even human comprehension.
Humbled by a year of graces, we enter Advent’s expectation
of the Lord. We see that only he can
satisfy our longings for reconciliation and peace. We join Jesus’ Jewish apostles in their benevolent
vigilance of Christ’s coming.
