A brief reflection on our Advent journey for this day. In the Gospel today a centurion appeals to Jesus to heal his servant who is dying. Jesus offers to visit the dying person, but the centurion responds, “Lord, I am not worthy to have you enter under my roof; only say the word and my servant will be healed.”
This is strong faith! At the same time, Jesus’ offer to visit this man’s home is a reminder to us that He is always with us; always near; always ready to answer our every need.
The Psalm today provides a great image for Advent: “Let us go rejoicing to the house of the Lord”. Similarly, the Prophet Isaiah in the first reading says: “Come, let us climb the Lord’s mountain, to the house of the God of Jacob, that he may instruct us in his ways, and we may walk in his paths.”
It is important to know, that in the Old Testament, the “mountain of the Lord” was a reference to ‘going up to Jerusalem’ to the holy city. This is also an image of the new and eternal Jerusalem of heaven.
Our ascent of the Lord’s mountain also entails our daily journey, wherever we are. It is precisely ‘here’ our God comes to save us. It is precisely in our daily walk of faith that we are called to learn ‘his ways’ and like the centurion, to have great faith.
This Advent, let us invite the Lord into our homes. This Advent, let us walk with the Lord and learn his ways.
Today’s passage from Isaiah concludes with an image of the fullness of God’s Kingdom which may seem like ‘pie in the sky’ to us.
For from Zion shall go forth instruction, and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem. He shall judge between the nations, and impose terms on many peoples. They shall beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks; One nation shall not raise the sword against another, nor shall they train fro war again.
This vision of God for us is possible, but requires us to listen to the Word of God. May this be an Advent of listening to the LORD and walking in his paths.
Peace!
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