Wednesday, December 4, 2024

Wednesday of the First Week of Advent

(Isaiah 25:25:6-10a; Matthew 15:29-37)

Isaiah’s vision of a celestial banquet provides a rich backdrop for the gospel.  It is hard not to find in the description of a rich feast in which people of all nations take part a blueprint for eternal life in.  There, the prophet says, people will see through racial and national differences to the common human core that all have.

Jesus’ feeding of the multitude on a mountain fulfills the prophetic vision.  It is Eucharistic from the gathering of the crowd to hear the word of God to the distributing of the bread over which Jesus gave thanks.  There may not be anyone there except Galileans, but surely the people have differences of ideas and temperaments.  The bread draws them together into one family without enmity.

During Advent we renew our hope for unity and world peace.  There will always be differences among persons and peoples.  However, nourished by the Bread of Life, we will see the good in all and give thanks to God for it.

Tuesday, December 3, 2024

Memorial of Saint Francis Xavier, priest

(Isaiah 11:1-10; Luke 10:21-24)

Isaiah’s incomparable vision of universal reconciliation is matched today with the gospel showing Jesus, Son of God Almighty, inviting the humble of the world to rest in him.  As lambs are said to lie with wolves, so the weakest can, since Jesus, rest with the Lord of hosts.

With desire to impart Isaiah’s vision and its fulfilment in Jesus, Francis Xavier left home and friends for the Orient.  He tirelessly preached the gospel of salvation to reconcile East and West for the glory of God.

We may not feel called to join missionaries in far-away places.  Nevertheless, as Jesus’ followers, we are summoned to reconcile different kinds of people.  Be they members of different races or people of different temperaments, Christians in Jesus’ name should promote understanding to secure peace among all.

Monday, December 2, 2024

Monday of the First Week of Advent

(Isaiah 2:1-5; Matthew 8:5-11)

Today’s first reading announces very good news for the whole world – the end of war, the beginning of everlasting peace.  In the eighth century before Christ, the prophet Isaiah visualized nations, formerly dedicating many resources to warfare now using them for social welfare and, hence, the glory of God.

The gospel indicates how at least the beginning of Isaiah’s prophecy is fulfilled with Jesus.  A centurion, a model of a military man, bows before the Jesus, the Prince of Peace.  Jesus’ ways, not those of the Cesars of the world, must be studied and lived.

Advent is the great season of hope.  Although we inhabit a world where war still reges, we have the courage to hope for days when nations will put aside their weapons to join one another in the quest for peace.