Monday of the First Week of Advent &
Saint John of Damascus, Priest and Doctor of the Church
Biographical Information about St. John Damascene
Readings for Monday of the First Week of Advent
Commentary:
Reading 1 Is 2:1-5
Isaiah speaks of his vision of the messianic kingdom to come where Judah and Israel are united and peace abounds in the entire kingdom. He sees unity under one God and one Messiah.
Responsorial Psalm Ps 122:1-2, 3-4b, 4cd-5, 6-7, 8-9
R. Let us go rejoicing to the house of the Lord.
Supporting Isaiah’s vision of the messianic kingdom, this psalm of praise points also to Jerusalem as the center and source the Law. It also adds David as the dynasty of this unified kingdom with the Lord our God providing the source of peace.
Gospel Mt 8:5-11
This story of the Centurion is shortened by a couple verses to focus our attention on the authority of Jesus and the role faith can play in accessing that authority. The Centurion’s description of his own understanding of authority translates to his faith that Jesus can command all things without needing to move. In the longer version, Jesus also condemns the Jewish people for their lack of faith and heals the Centurions servant as requested.
Reflection[1]:
Hopefully, we have started our house cleaning to make over the “Baby’s Room”. Our Advent readings start with a vision of what will come as a result of the impending birth. Much as parents of a new baby have a vision of what that child will become, Isaiah predicts that Christ will come to unify and bring peace. The Psalmist envisions that same kingdom flowing from the dynasty of King David’s throne. And the Gospel shows us that Jesus, Christ the King and Prince of Peace will command that kingdom. However, he does not tell us how long that will take. God’s time has always been difficult for us.
As we continue our spiritual preparation in Advent, I will continue the analogy of our preparation for new arrival. As we picture our lives in the presence of such a wonder of compassion, let us make the room in our hearts a warm and inviting place. We have suggested that a first step would be reconciliation – cleaning out the old bad things that might crowd the space. Next we must put on a new coat of paint. That paint is our prayer life. That room needs many coats to cover the natural tendencies of our human intuition that tries to bleed through.
If we are currently not spending much time in prayer, now is a great time to start. If we are spending some time in prayer each day, let’s see if we can’t add some time or some intentions to our list. Nothing warms the space in our heart like prayer. Prayer, constant, praising and loving for ourselves, our families and for the world will create a warm space.
Since today we also memorialize St. John Damascene, perhaps we could shore of our foundation by learning a bit more about this amazing person. St. John was a great gift to the Church and we should remember him and thank God for that gift as well.
Pax
Saint John of Damascus, Priest and Doctor of the Church
Biographical Information about St. John Damascene
Readings for Monday of the First Week of Advent
Commentary:
Reading 1 Is 2:1-5
Isaiah speaks of his vision of the messianic kingdom to come where Judah and Israel are united and peace abounds in the entire kingdom. He sees unity under one God and one Messiah.
Responsorial Psalm Ps 122:1-2, 3-4b, 4cd-5, 6-7, 8-9
R. Let us go rejoicing to the house of the Lord.
Supporting Isaiah’s vision of the messianic kingdom, this psalm of praise points also to Jerusalem as the center and source the Law. It also adds David as the dynasty of this unified kingdom with the Lord our God providing the source of peace.
Gospel Mt 8:5-11
This story of the Centurion is shortened by a couple verses to focus our attention on the authority of Jesus and the role faith can play in accessing that authority. The Centurion’s description of his own understanding of authority translates to his faith that Jesus can command all things without needing to move. In the longer version, Jesus also condemns the Jewish people for their lack of faith and heals the Centurions servant as requested.
Reflection[1]:
Hopefully, we have started our house cleaning to make over the “Baby’s Room”. Our Advent readings start with a vision of what will come as a result of the impending birth. Much as parents of a new baby have a vision of what that child will become, Isaiah predicts that Christ will come to unify and bring peace. The Psalmist envisions that same kingdom flowing from the dynasty of King David’s throne. And the Gospel shows us that Jesus, Christ the King and Prince of Peace will command that kingdom. However, he does not tell us how long that will take. God’s time has always been difficult for us.
As we continue our spiritual preparation in Advent, I will continue the analogy of our preparation for new arrival. As we picture our lives in the presence of such a wonder of compassion, let us make the room in our hearts a warm and inviting place. We have suggested that a first step would be reconciliation – cleaning out the old bad things that might crowd the space. Next we must put on a new coat of paint. That paint is our prayer life. That room needs many coats to cover the natural tendencies of our human intuition that tries to bleed through.
If we are currently not spending much time in prayer, now is a great time to start. If we are spending some time in prayer each day, let’s see if we can’t add some time or some intentions to our list. Nothing warms the space in our heart like prayer. Prayer, constant, praising and loving for ourselves, our families and for the world will create a warm space.
Since today we also memorialize St. John Damascene, perhaps we could shore of our foundation by learning a bit more about this amazing person. St. John was a great gift to the Church and we should remember him and thank God for that gift as well.
Pax
[1] Many parishes are giving out short books of Advent Reflections. This Blog will keep to its purpose of reflecting on the Daily Mass Readings as opposed to some other progression.
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