Thursday of the First Week of Advent

“The House Upon the Rock
and The House Upon the Sand”
by William James Webb, c. 1860

Readings for Thursday of the First Week of Advent [1]
 
Readings from the Jerusalem Bible [2]
 
Readings and Commentary: [3]
 
Reading 1: Isaiah 26:1-6
 
On that day they will sing this song in the land of Judah:
 
“A strong city have we;
he sets up walls and ramparts to protect us.
Open up the gates
to let in a nation that is just,
one that keeps faith.
A nation of firm purpose you keep in peace;
in peace, for its trust in you.”
 
Trust in the Lord forever!
For the Lord is an eternal Rock.
He humbles those in high places,
and the lofty city he brings down;
He tumbles it to the ground,
levels it with the dust.
It is trampled underfoot by the needy,
by the footsteps of the poor.
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Commentary on Is 26:1-6
 
This selection from the book of Isaiah (The Song of Judah) is part of a longer canticle of thanksgiving (Isaiah 25:1-27:1). It celebrates the ultimate victory of God as if it had already taken place. The vision of a secure and indomitable fortress, protected by faith in God, is portrayed. That foundation of faith is like a rock which will endure forever. The passage also contains a warning, as the prophet sees cities not founded on that same rock being destroyed, trampled by the poor for whom God has special care.
 
“The thanksgiving song will be sung in the future.  This text resembles psalms of thanksgiving and praise in the book of Psalms, such as Psalms 117 and 118.  The song contrasts the security of a mighty city (v.1), presumably Jerusalem, and the downfall of a secure city (v.5; better ‘exalted city’), which is not identified and is likely to be symbolic of oppressive nations generally.” [4]
 
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Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 118:1 and 8-9, 19-21, 25-27a
 
R. (26a) Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.
or:
R. Alleluia.
or:
R. Alleluia.
 
Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good,
for his mercy endures forever.
It is better to take refuge in the Lord
than to trust in man.
It is better to take refuge in the Lord
than to trust in princes.
R. Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.
or:
R. Alleluia.
 
Open to me the gates of justice;
I will enter them and give thanks to the Lord.
This gate is the Lord’s;
the just shall enter it.
I will give thanks to you, for you have answered me
and have been my savior.
R. Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.
or:
R. Alleluia.
 
O Lord, grant salvation!
O Lord, grant prosperity!
Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord;
we bless you from the house of the Lord.
The Lord is God, and he has given us light.
R. Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.
or:
R. Alleluia.
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Commentary on Ps 118:1 and 8-9, 19-21, 25-27a
 
Psalm 118 is a song of thanksgiving.  In these strophes, praise is given to God who is our refuge and protection.  The heavenly city is envisioned with “gates of justice” into which the faithful enter to receive mercy and salvation from God. It was used as a processional psalm by pilgrims coming to Jerusalem, anticipating the great temple of their faith.
 
CCC: Ps 118:26 559
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Gospel: Matthew 7:21, 24-27
 
Jesus said to his disciples:
“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’
will enter the Kingdom of heaven,
but only the one who does the will of my Father in heaven.
 
“Everyone who listens to these words of mine and acts on them
will be like a wise man who built his house on rock.
The rain fell, the floods came,
and the winds blew and buffeted the house.
But it did not collapse; it had been set solidly on rock.
And everyone who listens to these words of mine
but does not act on them
will be like a fool who built his house on sand.
The rain fell, the floods came,
and the winds blew and buffeted the house.
And it collapsed and was completely ruined.”
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Commentary on Mt 7:21, 24-27
This is the final section of the first of five great discourses of Jesus in the Gospel of Matthew. In it, Jesus continues his attack on “false prophets” that began in verse 15. Here the Lord makes a distinction between saying and doing. “The one who does (ποιῶν, v. 21) the will of Jesus’ Father in heaven is identical with the tree that bears (ποιῶν, v. 17) beautiful fruit. The one who merely exclaims “Lord! Lord!” and does not accompany his clamor with deeds is like the thick-leaved tree that impresses from the distance with its bushiness but on closer inspection proves to be devoid of fruit.” [5]

The familiar metaphor of the “house built upon rock” refers to those who hear the word of the Lord from an authentic source and act upon it. The house built on sand is a metaphor for those who either are not taught authentically (by false prophets), or who do not act upon what they have been given. “The point is that religious confession is no substitute for a personal relationship with Jesus and the obligation to obey his Father’s will.” [6]
 
CCC: Mt 7:21-27 1970; Mt 7:21 443, 1821, 2611, 2826
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Reflection:
 
We consider for a moment the analogy of the house built upon sand and the house built upon rock.  When Jesus was teaching the disciples, his intent was to warn them that there were others around at the time who claimed to be teaching God’s word.  They led people down false paths, like the Jews who taught that there was no resurrection.  Think of it, what if they had followed one of those who stole the hope of the life Christ promised?  Only when it was too late, and they were on their deathbed would they realize how bleak and empty those teachings had been.  Truly, the foundations of those false teachings were built upon sand.
 
The same thing is going on today.  How often do we hear the New Age philosophers proposing old arguments that they have tried to make new with different words.  They spout the same rhetoric that has been proposed by atheists and hedonists from the earliest of the Greek philosophers.  In the end, all that talk comes from arrogance and greed, misguided enthusiasm that, when challenged by the real world, crumbles like sand in water, washed away, unable to support even the weight of itself.
 
The unfortunate part of this situation is that these “false teachings” are so much easier to follow than Christianity.  The words used to describe them seem so warm and inviting, and the way they attack orthodox teaching makes the path of Christ out to be cruel and ignorant.  They use words like “celebrating diversity” to describe their cause and describe those whose moral compass points differently as “haters.”  At the base of these attacks is the desire to follow only their baser instincts, ignoring the discipline of faith.
 
For us, we place our faith in Jesus, who gives us strength to endure all that life might throw at us.  While the storms of life might not shake our foundation of faith, those storms are relentless.  Like any structure, the only way to keep the faith, which is our foundation, strong is through constant maintenance.  Even the great pyramids may erode in the face of constant wind and sand.
 
In that regard, we may think of this Advent season as “winter maintenance” (spring maintenance for our brothers and sisters in the Southern Hemisphere).  Let us take this season of anticipation to renew our foundation through prayer, strengthen it with sacramental grace, and redecorate it with acts of charity.  When the Lord comes, may he find that foundation strong, without cracks, ready to bear up through an eternal life which he promised.
 
Pax
 

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[1] The picture is “The House Upon the Rock and The House Upon the Sand” by William James Webb, c. 1860.
[2] S.S. Commemoratio
[3] The readings are taken from the New American Bible, with the exception of the psalm and its response which were developed by the International Committee for English in Liturgy (ICEL). This republication is not authorized by USCCB and is for private use only.
[4] The Jewish Study Bible, © 2004 Oxford University Press, New York, NY, p. 833.
[5] Fire of Mercy Heart of the Word Volume I, Erasmo Leiva-Merikakis, Ignatius Press, San Francisco, CA, © 1996 p. 310.
[6] The Gospel of Matthew, © 2010 Curtis Mitch and Edward Sri, Baker Academic, Grand Rapids, MI, p. 121.

Feast of Saint Andrew, Apostle

Biographical Information about St. Andrew

 “St Andrew”
by Jusepe de Ribera, 1616-18

Readings for the Feast of Saint Andrew [1] 
 
Readings from the Jerusalem Bible [2] 
 
Readings and Commentary: [3] 
 
Reading 1: Romans 10:9-18 
 
Brothers and sisters:
If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord
and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead,
you will be saved.
For one believes with the heart and so is justified,
and one confesses with the mouth and so is saved.
The Scripture says,
No one who believes in him will be put to shame.
There is no distinction between Jew and Greek;
the same Lord is Lord of all,
enriching all who call upon him.
For everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.
 
But how can they call on him in whom they have not believed?
And how can they believe in him of whom they have not heard?
And how can they hear without someone to preach?
And how can people preach unless they are sent?
As it is written,
How beautiful are the feet of those who bring the good news!
But not everyone has heeded the good news;
for Isaiah says, Lord, who has believed what was heard from us?
Thus faith comes from what is heard,
and what is heard comes through the word of Christ.
But I ask, did they not hear?
Certainly they did; for
 
Their voice has gone forth to all the earth,
and their words to the ends of the world.
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Commentary on Rom 10:9-18 
 
As part of his dialogue regarding why the Jews had failed in their mission, St. Paul calls upon the Roman Christians to profess their belief that Jesus is the Son of God, divine in his own person.  The Jewish converts could not say the name of God but referred instead to Yahweh as “Lord.”  By asking the Christians to “confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord,“ they professed their belief in his divinity and what flowed from that profession was justification (to be made just as if one had not sinned).  In justification is salvation since the physical act of confessing with the lips must come from an interior faith from the heart. 
 
The evangelist continues his call to faith explaining that this path to salvation is open to all peoples (“There is no distinction between Jew and Greek”).  This invitation does not have any prerequisites (i.e. one does not have to have come to belief through Judaism) to be unified in Christ, paraphrasing Isaiah 28:16. 
In the next section (v. 14-21) St. Paul poses questions as to why the Jewish people forfeited their status as favorites in the eyes of God.  Perhaps there were reasons which he rhetorically proposes and then rejects: did they not hear; did they not understand?  To the question, have they not heard?  St. Paul responds quoting Psalm 19:5, which concludes this passage. 
 
CCC: Rom 10:9 343, 186, 449; Rom 10:12-13 2739; Rom 10:13 2666; Rom 10:14-15 875; Rom 10:17 875
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Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 19:8, 9, 10, 11 
 
R. (10) The judgments of the Lord are true, and all of them are just.
or:
R. (John 6:63) Your words, Lord, are Spirit and life.
 
The law of the Lord is perfect,
refreshing the soul;
The decree of the Lord is trustworthy,
giving wisdom to the simple.
R. The judgments of the Lord are true, and all of them are just.
or:
R. Your words, Lord, are Spirit and life.
 
The precepts of the Lord are right,
rejoicing the heart;
The command of the Lord is clear,
enlightening the eye.
R. The judgments of the Lord are true, and all of them are just.
or:
R. Your words, Lord, are Spirit and life.
 
The fear of the Lord is pure,
enduring forever;
The ordinances of the Lord are true,
all of them just.
R. The judgments of the Lord are true, and all of them are just.
or:
R. Your words, Lord, are Spirit and life.
 
They are more precious than gold,
than a heap of purest gold;
Sweeter also than syrup
or honey from the comb.
R. The judgments of the Lord are true, and all of them are just.
or:
R. Your words, Lord, are Spirit and life.
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Commentary on Ps 19:8, 9, 10, 11 
 
Psalm 19 is a hymn of praise. In this passage, we give praise for God’s gift of the Law which guides us in our daily lives. The hymn extols the virtues of obedience and steadfastness to the Law and its precepts. The passage also reflects the idea that following God’s statutes leads to peace and prosperity. 
 
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Gospel: Matthew 4:18-22 
 
As Jesus was walking by the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers,
Simon who is called Peter, and his brother Andrew,
casting a net into the sea; they were fishermen.
He said to them,
“Come after me, and I will make you fishers of men.”
At once they left their nets and followed him.
He walked along from there and saw two other brothers,
James, the son of Zebedee, and his brother John.
They were in a boat, with their father Zebedee, mending their nets.
He called them, and immediately they left their boat and their father
and followed him.
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Commentary on Mt 4:18-22 
 
This passage is the account in St. Matthew’s Gospel of the call of the first disciples. The important principle provided in this episode is the fact that the four disciples called by Jesus, the first four, followed the Lord immediately.  It is recorded that they left their entire livelihood and all their possessions behind and followed Jesus. (A similar abruptness is found also in the call of Levi, Matthew 9:9.)
 
Ironically the notes on this section point out that three of the four called, Peter, James, and John, are distinguished by a particular closeness to Jesus. The reason that Matthew’s account indicates the disciples left work and family immediately, without any explanation, may be due in part to Andrew’s earlier encounter with Jesus as a disciple of John the Baptist (John 1:40)
 
CCC: Mt 4:19 878; Mt 4:21 878
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Reflection: 
What would the world be like if St. Andrew had not become a disciple of St. John the Baptist?  We don’t know what called him to follow the Voice, to become a member of that close circle of devout followers.  But we do know that if the apostle had not, he would never have been sent, as tradition holds, with his companion to ask Jesus if he was the one to come or if they should expect someone else. 
 
And what if he had not done as St. John had suggested and heard those words: “Go and tell John what you have seen and heard: the blind regain their sight, the lame walk, lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, the poor have the good news proclaimed to them” (Luke 7:22)?  Those words had meaning beyond the obvious.  While indeed the blind, the lame, and deaf were healed, those events were a direct reference to the prophecy of Isaiah (Isaiah 61:1). 
 
[Note: there are two different versions about the call of Andrew and his brother, Simon (St. Peter).  In Matthew, Mark, and Luke, Jesus calls them while they are fishing with their father (Mark 1:16; Matthew 4:18-22; Luke 5:1-11), although we notice in Luke, Andrew is not mentioned.  However, in the Gospel of St. John, hear the following: "Andrew, the brother of Simon Peter, was one of the two who heard John and followed Jesus. He first found his own brother Simon and told him, ‘We have found the Messiah’ (which is translated Anointed)." (John 1:35-41) The reflection above sort of cross-references the two versions of the call.] 
 
And what did St. Andrew do?  He returned to the Baptist and then, perhaps taking St. John’s own mission to the next level went immediately to his brother (John 1:37-40).  The words he spoke to him echo through the thousands of years that have passed.  They are engraved in the heart of every Christian who has ever come to faith, "We have found the Messiah." 
 
From that point forward the profession of faith made by and to the brother of Peter, who would be given the Keys to the Kingdom, would shape the whole world.  To those first four disciples would be added eight more, including the one who betrayed him.  From them, the Gospel of the Lord would travel to every part of the world.  It began with a simple statement of faith - "We have found the Messiah." 
 
Today as we celebrate the feast day of St. Andrew, we thank God for the gift of faith, the faith he gave St. Andrew and all the apostles and the faith he gives us.  We ask on this day that St. Andrew will intercede for us, and the one he found will bless us with an abundance of faith, so that we in our turn may announce it to the world - "We have found the Messiah." 
 
Pax
 
In other years: Wednesday of the First Week of Advent

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[1] The picture is “St Andrew” by Jusepe de Ribera, 1616-18.
[2] S.S. Commemoratio
[3] The readings are taken from the New American Bible, with the exception of the psalm and its response which were developed by the International Committee for English in Liturgy (ICEL). This republication is not authorized by USCCB and is for private use only.
 

Tuesday of the First Week of Advent

“Tree of Jesse”
by Jan Mostaert, c. 1500

 
Readings for Tuesday of the First Week of Advent [1]
 
Readings from the Jerusalem Bible [2]
 
Readings and Commentary: [3]
 
Reading 1: Isaiah 11:1-10
 
On that day,
A shoot shall sprout from the stump of Jesse,
and from his roots a bud shall blossom.
The Spirit of the Lord shall rest upon him:
a Spirit of wisdom and of understanding,
A Spirit of counsel and of strength,
a Spirit of knowledge and of fear of the Lord,
and his delight shall be the fear of the Lord.
Not by appearance shall he judge,
nor by hearsay shall he decide,
But he shall judge the poor with justice,
and decide aright for the land’s afflicted.
He shall strike the ruthless with the rod of his mouth,
and with the breath of his lips he shall slay the wicked.
Justice shall be the band around his waist,
and faithfulness a belt upon his hips.
 
Then the wolf shall be a guest of the lamb,
and the leopard shall lie down with the kid;
The calf and the young lion shall browse together,
with a little child to guide them.
The cow and the bear shall be neighbors,
together their young shall rest;
the lion shall eat hay like the ox.
The baby shall play by the cobra’s den,
and the child lay his hand on the adder’s lair.
There shall be no harm or ruin on all my holy mountain;
for the earth shall be filled with knowledge of the Lord,
as water covers the sea.
 
On that day,
The root of Jesse,
set up as a signal for the nations,
The Gentiles shall seek out,
for his dwelling shall be glorious.
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Commentary on Is 11:1-10
 
Isaiah predicts that the line of David will produce the Messiah with the first verse: “stump of Jesse,” King David’s father. The stump refers to the line of David being cut back during the Babylonian exile. For the first time in Scripture, the prophet then presents the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit. [4] (Note also the reference to fullness. In Hebrew numerology the number seven is the perfect number.) In the Septuagint and the Vulgate, the word "piety" is coupled with “fear of the Lord.”
 
The description of the gifts of the Holy Spirit is followed with a list of the just and compassionate characteristics of the messianic rule. This is followed by a picture of universal peace under the Messiah’s rule. Isaiah sees the return of the messianic king as predicting that the Messiah will come from King David’s line and will ultimately bring great peace. The term used, “on all my holy mountain” indicates this peace is for all the faithful, not just those in Jerusalem.
 
CCC: Is 11:1-9 672; Is 11:1-2 712, 1831; Is 11:2 436, 536, 1286
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Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 72:1-2, 7-8, 12-13, 17
 
R. (see 7) Justice shall flourish in his time, and fullness of peace for ever.
 
O God, with your judgment endow the king,
and with your justice, the king’s son;
He shall govern your people with justice
and your afflicted ones with judgment.
R. Justice shall flourish in his time, and fullness of peace for ever.
 
Justice shall flower in his days,
and profound peace, till the moon be no more.
May he rule from sea to sea,
and from the River to the ends of the earth.
R. Justice shall flourish in his time, and fullness of peace for ever.
 
He shall rescue the poor when he cries out,
and the afflicted when he has no one to help him.
He shall have pity for the lowly and the poor;
the lives of the poor he shall save.
R. Justice shall flourish in his time, and fullness of peace for ever.
 
May his name be blessed forever;
as long as the sun his name shall remain.
In him shall all the tribes of the earth be blessed;
all the nations shall proclaim his happiness.
R. Justice shall flourish in his time, and fullness of peace for ever.
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Commentary on Ps 72:1-2, 7-8, 12-13, 17
 
Psalm 72 is one of the royal psalms. In this selection, we hear an echo of the justice and peace of the king’s rule that is reiterated in Isaiah’s prophecy (see Isaiah 11:1-10). The psalm captures the essence of social justice found throughout the Old Testament (see Isaiah 1:12-17; Amos 5:14-15, 24).  These themes add up to the biblical concept of shalom (peace and well-being). [5]
 
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Gospel: Luke 10:21-24
 
Jesus rejoiced in the Holy Spirit and said,
“I give you praise, Father, Lord of heaven and earth,
for although you have hidden these things
from the wise and the learned
you have revealed them to the childlike.
Yes, Father, such has been your gracious will.
All things have been handed over to me by my Father.
No one knows who the Son is except the Father,
and who the Father is except the Son
and anyone to whom the Son wishes to reveal him.”
 
Turning to the disciples in private he said,
“Blessed are the eyes that see what you see.
For I say to you,
many prophets and kings desired to see what you see,
but did not see it,
and to hear what you hear, but did not hear it.”
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Commentary on Lk 10:21-24
 
Jesus rejoices in the Holy Spirit because his disciples have understood his role of Messiah in the kingdom. He restates his relationship as Son of God: “No one knows who the Son is except the Father, and who the Father is except the Son and anyone to whom the Son wishes to reveal him." The inference here is that we must approach belief with “childlike” faith and trust in order to achieve that level of understanding.
 
Earlier in this chapter of St. Luke’s Gospel, Jesus sent out the seventy (two). Just prior to this selection (Luke 10:17-20), they returned and reported great success in doing what the Lord asked of them. We are given in today’s passage his prayer of thanks to the Father. The Lord gives thanks that God has seen fit to reveal his identity and pass on his power to these disciples of his. It is reiterated that the kingdom of God shall be revealed to the childlike (see also Luke 8:10) and turning to his disciples, he tells them that the victory they are witnessing is the Good News hoped for by prophets and kings throughout history.
 
CCC: Lk 10:21-23 2603; Lk 10:21 1083
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Reflection:
 
As we hear the words of St. Luke today, how Jesus is caught up in the Holy Spirit and begins to pray, thanking God for his aid in the Lord’s mission, we can’t help but remember Jules Verne’s Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea.  This great science fiction epic was written in 1870. At one point in the story, the infamous Captain Nemo was asked if he intended to share his great scientific discoveries with the rest of the world. He informed his prisoner/narrator, Professor Aronnax, that he would never do that because the world was not ready for so great a power. This story is recalled because Jesus rejoices for the opposite reason.
 
While the great knowledge and power of the mythical antagonist in the novel needs to be kept secret, the great knowledge and power of the Lord must be spread, so that all might have access to it and find hope as a result. This Advent season, as we look forward with hope to the Lord’s coming, we are reminded that this anticipation and hope are not shared by all of those we meet. Incredible as it seems to us, many of our colleagues, friends, and acquaintances think of this season only for the presents they must buy, and the orgy of commercialism that infuses the economy of the country with great strength because of all the money that is spent. They do not realize that our Advent is first devoted to preparing for the Lord’s return, when he will come again in glory!
 
In the Gospel, the Lord rejoices because God’s word has reached so many others. He thanks his Father that their ears have been opened by the words and works of his followers. This is the legacy we have been handed. As we prepare ourselves to join the Lord when he comes again, and to celebrate the Nativity of the Lord, we recall that we too are asked to joyfully make known the reason for the season (cliché but appropriate). Children understand this very easily, but they must hear it first. Adults need to overcome their cynicism and adopt a childlike attitude that recalls the Christmas proclamation: “Joy to the World!”
 
We hear St. Luke relay the story once more of how the Lord was ecstatic over the success of the seventy (two) in proclaiming the Good News. Now it is our turn. We must not, through our actions, seem to be like Captain Nemo, keeping the great promise to ourselves. We are called to share that glorious message, and in sharing the joy of that announcement, it will be returned to us, and we move closer to the promised peace of Christ.

 
Pax

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[1] The picture used today is “Tree of Jesse” by Jan Mostaert, c. 1500.
[2] S.S. Commemoratio
[3] The readings are taken from the New American Bible, with the exception of the psalm and its response which were developed by the International Committee for English in Liturgy (ICEL). This republication is not authorized by USCCB and is for private use only.
[4] From the Catechism of the Catholic Church, paragraph 1831 “The seven gifts of the Holy Spirit are wisdom, understanding, counsel, fortitude, knowledge, piety, and fear of the Lord. They belong in their fullness to Christ, Son of David. They complete and perfect the virtues of those who receive them. They make the faithful docile in readily obeying divine inspirations.”
[5] The Word Biblical Commentary, Psalms 1-50, Volume 19 © 2004 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. p. 225.

Monday of the First Week of Advent

“Healing the Centurion’s Servant”
by Alexandre Bida, c. 1875

 
Readings for Monday of the First Week of Advent [1]
 
Readings from the Jerusalem Bible [2]
 
Readings and Commentary: [3]
 

Reading 1: Isaiah 4:2-6

On that day,

The branch of the Lord will be luster and glory,

and the fruit of the earth will be honor and splendor

for the survivors of Israel.

He who remains in Zion

and he who is left in Jerusalem

Will be called holy:

every one marked down for life in Jerusalem.

When the Lord washes away

the filth of the daughters of Zion,

And purges Jerusalem’s blood from her midst

with a blast of searing judgment,

Then will the Lord create,

over the whole site of Mount Zion

and over her place of assembly,

A smoking cloud by day

and a light of flaming fire by night.

For over all, the Lord’s glory will be shelter and protection:

shade from the parching heat of day,

refuge and cover from storm and rain.

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Commentary on Is 4:2-6

The Prophet envisions a time when the Lord will give his divine blessing to the faithful who patiently await the moment of God’s great glory. “The ‘branch of the Lord’ (v. 2) is a title belonging to the king in the line of David (cf. Isaiah 11:1). It is not only the ‘remnant’ of Israel that will survive and see the glory of the purified Jerusalem, but also the Messiah, David's son.”[4] This section of Isaiah’s oracle is seen as anticipating the fulfillment of the messianic promise in Jesus Christ.

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Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 122:1-2, 3-4b, 4cd-5, 6-7, 8-9
 
R. Let us go rejoicing to the house of the Lord.
 
I rejoiced because they said to me,
“We will go up to the house of the LORD."
And now we have set foot
within your gates, O Jerusalem.
R. Let us go rejoicing to the house of the Lord.
 
Jerusalem, built as a city
with compact unity.
To it the tribes go up,
the tribes of the LORD.
R. Let us go rejoicing to the house of the Lord.
 
According to the decree for Israel,
to give thanks to the name of the LORD.
In it are set up judgment seats,
seats for the house of David.
R. Let us go rejoicing to the house of the Lord.
 
Pray for the peace of Jerusalem!
May those who love you prosper!
May peace be within your walls,
prosperity in your buildings.
R. Let us go rejoicing to the house of the Lord.
 
Because of my relatives and friends
I will say, “Peace be within you!"
Because of the house of the LORD, our God,
I will pray for your good.
R. Let us go rejoicing to the house of the Lord.
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Commentary on Ps 122:1-2, 3-4b, 4cd-5, 6-7, 8-9
 
Psalm 122 is a song of praise that anticipates the great procession into God’s house. While the Hebrews would have used this as a literal processional song, we see it as anticipating our entry into the New Jerusalem, the Kingdom of God. It supports Isaiah’s vision of the messianic kingdom (Isaiah 2:1-5); it also points to Jerusalem as the center and source of the Law and the Davidic dynasty to rule the unified kingdom with the Lord our God providing the source of peace.
 
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Gospel: Matthew 8:5-11
 
When Jesus entered Capernaum,
a centurion approached him and appealed to him, saying,
“Lord, my servant is lying at home paralyzed, suffering dreadfully.”
He said to him, “I will come and cure him.”
The centurion said in reply,
“Lord, I am not worthy to have you enter under my roof;
only say the word and my servant will be healed.
For I too am a man subject to authority,
with soldiers subject to me.
And I say to one, ‘Go,’ and he goes;
and to another, ‘Come here,’ and he comes;
and to my slave, ‘Do this,’ and he does it.”
When Jesus heard this, he was amazed and said to those following him,
“Amen, I say to you, in no one in Israel have I found such faith.
I say to you, many will come from the east and the west,
and will recline with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob
at the banquet in the Kingdom of heaven.”
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Commentary on Mt 8:5-11
 
This story of the centurion is shortened by a couple of 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 be physically present to that which he commands.
 
Jesus’ response to the centurion is "'I will personally go and heal him.'" [This would have made the centurion and his home instantly famous and satisfied the centurion's request. But instead of simply following the Lord, he replies:] "'O Lord, I am not worthy...': Before he explains his reasoning, the centurion utters the second half of his prayer, which has been immortalized by the Roman liturgy as the exclamation before receiving Holy Communion." [4]
 
In the longer version, Jesus also condemns the Jewish people for their lack of faith and heals the centurion's servant as requested.
 
CCC: Mt 8:8 1386; Mt 8:10 2610; Mt 8:11 543
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Reflection:
 
Our Advent readings start with a vision of what will come as a result of the impending birth of Jesus. Much as parents of a new baby have a vision of what that child will become, Isaiah predicts that Christ, the Messiah, will come to unify God’s children 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 begin our spiritual preparation in Advent, we will use the analogy of our preparation for the arrival of a child being born into our homes. We picture our lives in the presence of such a wonder of compassion. As we do so, let us make room in our hearts, creating a warm and inviting place.
 
We suggest that a first step would be reconciliation, cleaning out the old bad things that might crowd the space. It is somewhat ironic that the sacrament of reconciliation is one of the two sacraments of healing.  When asked, most Catholics might say that only anointing of the sick was a healing device.  Yet, here is what the Catechism of the Catholic Church has to say:
 
1422  "Those who approach the sacrament of Penance obtain pardon from God's mercy for the offense committed against him, and are, at the same time, reconciled with the Church which they have wounded by their sins and which by charity, by example, and by prayer labors for their conversion."
 
Once we have fixed the damage, 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 nature that try 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 the world will create a warm space. 
 
Pax
 

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[1] The picture used today is “Healing the Centurion’s Servant” by Alexandre Bida, c. 1875.
[2] S.S. Commemoratio
[3] The readings are taken from the New American Bible, with the exception of the psalm and its response which were developed by the International Committee for English in Liturgy (ICEL). This republication is not authorized by USCCB and is for private use only.
[4] Fire of Mercy Heart of the Word Volume I, Erasmo Leiva-Merikakis, Ignatius Press, San Francisco, CA, © 1996 p. 516.