Saturday, December 6, 2025

 

Saturday of the First Week of Advent

(Isaiah 30:19-21.23-26; Matthew 9:35-10:1.5a.6-8)

As we all know, in May Robert Prevost was elected pope and chose the name Leo XIV.  He was formerly a missionary in Perú where he was made bishop.  As a missionary and now as pope, Robert Prevost is part of the fulfillment of Isaiah’s prophecy in today’s first reading.

Isaiah looks forward to the great “Day of the Lord.”  He says that on that day the cries of the holy people of Jerusalem will be answered.  They will see their Teacher, who will guide them.  Jesus does just that, but not alone.  As the gospel today makes clear, Jesus is assisted by his disciples.  They will go in his name to proclaim the Kingdom of God.

We should not consider Jesus’ mission completed.  Rather we should see a role for us in that mission.  Like Robert Prevost, Pope Leo XIV, we are sent beyond our family and friends to bring to others a word of hope.  We may not arrive in foreign lands, but there are many needing relief and encouragement where we live.

 

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