During the season of Advent, we prepare to celebrate not just Jesus' birth in Bethlehem,

but to look forward to his second coming.

The army captain His deep faith amazes Jesus.

Thus He solemnly declares that not only the house of Israel is welcome in heaven,

but those men and women of goodwill.

 

＊＊＊ 1st Reading ＊＊＊   

Isaiah 2:1-5

The vision of Isaiah,

Son of Amoz, concerning Judah and Jerusalem.

In the last days, the mountain of Yahweh's house shall be set over the highest mountains and shall tower over the hills. All the nations shall stream to it, saying, "Come, let us go to the mountain of Yahweh, to the house of the God of Jacob, that he may teach us his ways and we may walk in his paths. For the teaching comes from Zion, and from Jerusalem the word of Yahweh.

 

He will rule over the nations and settle disputes for many people. They will beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks. Nation will not raise sword against nation; they will train for war no more.

O nation of Jacob, come, let us walk in the light of Yahweh!"

 

Ps 122:1-2, 3-4b, 4cd-5, 6-7, 8-9 Let us go rejoicing to the house of the Lord.

 

＊＊＊ Gospel ＊＊＊      

Matthew 8:5-11

When Jesus entered Capernaum, an army captain approached him, to ask his help, "Sir, my servant lies sick at home. He is paralyzed and suffers terribly." Jesus said to him, "I will come and heal him."

 

The captain answered, "I am not worthy to have you under my roof. Just give an order and my boy will be healed. For I myself, a junior officer, give orders to my soldiers. And if I say to one, 'Go!' he goes; and if I say to another, 'Comel' he comes; and if I say to my servant, 'Do this!' he does it."

 

When Jesus heard this, he was astonished; and said to those who were following him, "I tell you, I have not found such faith in Israel. I say to you, many will come from east and west and sit down with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob at the feast in the kingdom of heaven.

 

Gospel Reflection ：

"Trust in God's Word."

Advent is a season to immerse ourselves in God's Word. The Word of God always serves as our faith compass. At times, whether we admit it or not, we might have cast some doubts on the power of God's Word over us. At the beginning of this liturgical year, it would be good to look into our relationship with God's Word.

 

We have to regain this relationship under the spirit of trust. We can always trust the Word of God. Today's Gospel pericope narrates the healing of the servant of an army captain. Jesus entered Capernaum. The captain approached Jesus, pleading with the Lord to heal his servant who was lying sick at home.

 

Jesus was quick to respond to the plea, being in good disposition to go and heal the sick servant. The captain told Jesus that there was no need for Jesus to come under the captain's roof. Jesus could just say a word (cf. logos) and his servant would be healed. Jesus commended the captain for his strong faith. The captain exemplifies a person who has a deep trust in the Word of God. This is the kind of relationship with God's Word that we need to recover nowadays.