2 Dec
Mon
1st Week of Advent
Psalter Week I
Is. 2:1-5
Ps. 121:1-2,3-4a,8-9
Mt. 8:5-11
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Isaiah foretells the coming of Jesus. The God who is to come will teach that disagreements between nations must be solved by peaceful means, not war. This is the revolutionary way in which God will go about settling arguments. Regardless of where we are born, we are all invited to come to the house of God and follow Him. The centurion who approached Jesus had come to Israel from Rome as part of an army of occupation. Nevertheless he had great faith in Jesus. He was convinced that Jesus had the power to cure his sick servant. Jesus, impressed by this Roman citizen's faith, states that everyone, irrespective of birth, is welcome in God's house. As long as we have faith in Him we are welcome to share His home at any time and for all time. The centurion's understanding of his own power position helped him to believe in Jesus' power and authority. People carried out the centurion's orders because of his power and authority. Likewise the centurion assumed that since Jesus had so much power it would be a simple thing for him to wish the centurion's servant to be cured and the servant would be cured. The centurion had complete faith in the power and authority of Jesus. His faith was rewarded.



Lord, help us to follow the centurion's example of faith in Your power to help us.

DAILY OFFERING
Eternal Father, I offer You everything I do this day; my thoughts, words, joys and sufferings. Grant that, vivified by the Holy Spirit and united to the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Immaculate Heart of Mary, my life this day may be of service to You and to others. I also pray that all those preparing for marriage discover in Sacrament the source of Christ's grace for living a fithful and fruitful love. Amen.

PRAYING WITH THE CHURCH
INTENTION
That children may be protected and defended against every form of violence by means of the care taken by their families and of adequate social policies, all over the world.
Elaboration

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