Thursday, December 5, 2024

06-DEC-'24, Friday of the First Week of Advent


Friday of the First Week of Advent
Lectionary: 179

Reading 1
Isaiah 29:17-24
Thus says the Lord GOD:
But a very little while,
and Lebanon shall be changed into an orchard,
and the orchard be regarded as a forest!
On that day the deaf shall hear
the words of a book;
And out of gloom and darkness,
the eyes of the blind shall see.
The lowly will ever find joy in the LORD,
and the poor rejoice in the Holy One of Israel.
For the tyrant will be no more
and the arrogant will have gone;
All who are alert to do evil will be cut off,
those whose mere word condemns a man,
Who ensnare his defender at the gate,
and leave the just man with an empty claim.
Therefore thus says the LORD,
the God of the house of Jacob,
who redeemed Abraham:
Now Jacob shall have nothing to be ashamed of,
nor shall his face grow pale.
When his children see
the work of my hands in his midst,
They shall keep my name holy;
they shall reverence the Holy One of Jacob,
and be in awe of the God of Israel.
Those who err in spirit shall acquire understanding,
and those who find fault shall receive instruction.

Responsorial Psalm
Psalm 27:1, 4, 13-14
R. (1a)  The Lord is my light and my salvation.

The LORD is my light and my salvation;
whom should I fear?
The LORD is my life’s refuge;
 of whom should I be afraid?
R. The Lord is my light and my salvation.

One thing I ask of the LORD;
this I seek:
To dwell in the house of the LORD
all the days of my life,
That I may gaze on the loveliness of the LORD
and contemplate his temple.
R. The Lord is my light and my salvation.

I believe that I shall see the bounty of the LORD
in the land of the living.
Wait for the LORD with courage;
be stouthearted, and wait for the LORD.
R. The Lord is my light and my salvation.
 
Alleluia 
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Behold, our Lord shall come with power;
he will enlighten the eyes of his servants.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel
Matthew 9:27-31
As Jesus passed by, two blind men followed him, crying out,
“Son of David, have pity on us!” 
When he entered the house,
the blind men approached him and Jesus said to them,
“Do you believe that I can do this?” 
“Yes, Lord,” they said to him. 
Then he touched their eyes and said,
“Let it be done for you according to your faith.” 
And their eyes were opened. 
Jesus warned them sternly,
“See that no one knows about this.” 
But they went out and spread word of him through all that land.

Reflection 1
Catholic Daily Reflections 

The True Messiah

And their eyes were opened. Jesus warned them sternly, “See that no one knows about this.” But they went out and spread word of him through all that land. Matthew 9:30–31

Who is Jesus? This question is much more easily answered today than it was at the time Jesus walked the Earth. Today we are blessed with countless saints who have gone before us who have prayerfully and intelligently taught much about the person of Jesus. We know Him to be God, the Second Person of the Holy Trinity, the Savior of the World, the promised Messiah, the Sacrificial Lamb and so much more.

The Gospel above comes from the conclusion of the miracle in which Jesus healed two blind men. These men were overwhelmed with their cure, and their emotion overtook them. Jesus instructed them to “See that no one knows about this” miraculous healing. But their excitement could not be contained. It’s not that they were intentionally disobedient to Jesus; rather, they did not know how else to express their sincere gratitude other than to tell others about what Jesus had done.

One reason Jesus told them not to tell others about Him is because Jesus knew they did not fully understand Who He was. He knew that their testimony about Him would fail to present Him in the way that was most truthful. He was the Lamb of God. The Savior. The Messiah. The Sacrificial Lamb. He was the One Who came into this world to redeem us by the shedding of His blood. Many of the people, however, wanted a nationalistic “messiah” or a miracle worker alone. They wanted one who would save them from political oppression and make them a great earthly nation. But this was not Jesus’ mission.

Oftentimes we can also fall into the trap of misunderstanding Who Jesus is and Who He wants to be in our lives. We can want a “god” who will save us only from our daily struggles, injustices and temporal difficulties. We can want a “god” who acts in accord with our will and not vice versa. We want a “god” who will heal us and free us of every earthly burden. But Jesus taught clearly throughout His life that He would suffer and die. He taught us that we must take up our own crosses and follow Him. And He taught us that we are to die, embrace suffering, offer mercy, turn the other cheek, and find our glory in that which the world will never understand.

Reflect, today, upon whether Jesus would caution you about speaking too loudly about your vision of Who He is. Do you struggle with presenting a “god” who is not actually God? Or have you come to know the very Person of Christ our Lord to such an extent that you are able to give witness to Him Who died. Do you boast only in the Cross? Do you proclaim Christ crucified and preach only the deepest wisdom of humility, mercy and sacrifice? Recommit yourself to a true proclamation of Christ, setting aside any and all confused images of our saving God.

Reflection 2
One Bread, One Body 

BLIND BIND

“As Jesus moved on from there, two blind men came after Him crying out, ‘Son of David, have pity on us!’ ” —Matthew 9:27

What if you went blind right now? How would Christmas be? The Church speaks to us today about blindness. It implies we have been spiritually blinded by sin. If not healed, our spiritual blindness will ruin Christmas since we cannot see Christ, the meaning of Christmas.

The Lord promises through the prophet Isaiah: “Out of gloom and darkness, the eyes of the blind shall see” (Is 29:18). Jesus stretches forth His hand to touch our eyes, so we may recover our sight (Mt 9:30). We can be healed when we admit we need healing. May Jesus not have to say to us what He said to the Pharisees: “ ‘But we see,’ you say, and your sin remains” (Jn 9:41).

When we admit our spiritual blindness, then we must admit its cause, that is, sin. The Lord calls us to confess our sins to one another to find forgiveness and healing (Jas 5:16). Without Advent repentance and Confession, we will have Christmas blindness. Instead of celebrating Christ, the Light of the world, we will be groping in the kingdom of darkness.

Don’t miss out on Christ, Christmas, Light, and Life. Go to Confession during Advent. Be reconciled with God. Cry out (Mt 9:27) for Jesus’ mercy: Lord, “I want to see” (Mk 10:51). “Amazing grace, how sweet the sound that saved a wretch like me. I once was lost, but now I’m found, was blind but now I see.”

Prayer:  Holy Spirit, convict all who do not admit their spiritual blindness.

Promise:  “The lowly will ever find joy in the Lord, and the poor rejoice in the Holy One of Israel. For the tyrant will be no more and the arrogant will have gone.” —Is 29:19-20

Praise:  Each year on the feast of St. Nicholas, Angela gives presents to each of her four children, and tells them the stories of his generosity and faith.

Reflection 3
Shared from Daily Liturgy

The two blind men followed Jesus asking to receive their sight. Though blind, these two men move together, supporting and strengthening each other even in faith. They plead for mercy, admitting their dependence on Jesus for a better life. Despite their initial acts of faith, Jesus forces them to clarify that they not only seek his help and recognize his identity, but acknowledge his ability to heal them. When Jewish law protected the weak members of the society such as deaf-mutes and minors, Jesus went beyond strengthening the weak and giving fullness of life to all who lack it.   
 
Prayers
My true and saving Lord, I commit myself to You and pray that I will come to know and love You as You are. Give me the eyes I need to see You and the mind and heart I need to know and love You. Remove from me any false vision of Who You are and replace within me a true knowledge of You, my Lord. As I come to know You, I offer myself to You so that You may use me to proclaim Your greatness to all. Jesus, I trust in You.

Lord Jesus, help me to draw near to you with faith and trust in your saving power and mercy. Free me from doubt and unbelief that I may approach you confidently and pray boldly with expectant faith. Let your kingdom come and may your will be done in me.

Daily Reflections on Divine Mercy

Reflection 340: Being Tested
It may not be immediately pleasant, but at times we greatly benefit from being tested.  The Lord permits this in a variety of ways.  Being tested is not a temptation; rather, it’s a way that the Lord allows us to endure a trial so as to invite us to more deeply submit to His holy Will.  When you feel a trial come your way, the best thing you can do is to get down on your knees and pray, “Lord, may Your Divine Will be done in all things!  I submit fully to whatever You desire!”  What a perfect prayer, especially when prayed in the context of a trial.  This prayer will enable you to pass the test (See Diary #1648).

How do you react when you are faced with a trial in life?  Do you despair?  Or do you get down on your knees and surrender your life to God?  Ponder this and resolve to surrender in all things so that you will pass every test in life.

Lord, I do surrender to You my whole being.  Take all that I am and all that I hope to be.  All is Yours, Lord.  Do with me as You will, when You will and how You will.  Jesus, I trust in You.

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