First Week of Advent
Year I
04th December 2024 (Wednesday)
Psalter: Week 1
Reading of the Day
| First Reading | Isaiah 25:6-10a |
| Response | Justice shall flourish in his time, and fullness of peace for ever. |
| Gospel | Matthew 15:29-37 |
First Reading
Isaiah 25:6-10a
On this mountain the LORD of hosts will provide for all peoples A feast of rich food and choice wines, juicy, rich food and pure, choice wines. On this mountain he will destroy the veil that veils all peoples, The web that is woven over all nations; he will destroy death forever. The Lord GOD will wipe away the tears from all faces; The reproach of his people he will remove from the whole earth; for the LORD has spoken. On that day it will be said: “Behold our God, to whom we looked to save us! This is the LORD for whom we looked; let us rejoice and be glad that he has saved us!” For the hand of the LORD will rest on this mountain.
Responsorial Psalm
Psalm 23:1-3a, 3b-4, 5, 6 (R. see 6cd)
R/. Justice shall flourish in his time, and fullness of peace for ever.
The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.
In verdant pastures he gives me repose;
Beside restful waters he leads me;
he refreshes my soul. R/.
He guides me in right paths
for his name’s sake.
Even though I walk in the dark valley
I fear no evil; for you are at my side
With your rod and your staff
that give me courage. R/.
You spread the table before me
in the sight of my foes;
You anoint my head with oil;
my cup overflows. R/.
Only goodness and kindness follow me
all the days of my life;
And I shall dwell in the house of the LORD
for years to come. R/.
Gospel Acclamation
V/. Alleluia
R/. Alleluia
V/. Behold, the Lord comes to save his people; blessed are those prepared to meet him.
R/. Alleluia.
Gospel
Matthew 15:29-37
At that time: Jesus walked by the Sea of Galilee, went up on the mountain, and sat down there. Great crowds came to him, having with them the lame, the blind, the deformed, the mute, and many others. They placed them at his feet, and he cured them. The crowds were amazed when they saw the mute speaking, the deformed made whole, the lame walking, and the blind able to see, and they glorified the God of Israel. Jesus summoned his disciples and said, “My heart is moved with pity for the crowd, for they have been with me now for three days and have nothing to eat. I do not want to send them away hungry, for fear they may collapse on the way.” The disciples said to him, “Where could we ever get enough bread in this deserted place to satisfy such a crowd?” Jesus said to them, “How many loaves do you have?” “Seven,” they replied, “and a few fish.” He ordered the crowd to sit down on the ground. Then he took the seven loaves and the fish, gave thanks, broke the loaves, and gave them to the disciples, who in turn gave them to the crowds. They all ate and were satisfied. They picked up the fragments left over–seven baskets full.
Reflection
Main Point: God’s love is revealed in abundance, and His blessings flow to all who come to Him in faith and surrender. He calls us to trust in His providence and to share His blessings with a generous heart.
The readings today present a vision of God’s boundless care and generosity. Isaiah’s prophecy portrays the Lord preparing a lavish banquet for all people, a feast that satisfies every hunger and removes every sorrow. In the gospel, Jesus lives out this vision by miraculously feeding a large crowd with just a few loaves and fish, leaving everyone abundantly satisfied.
Isaiah’s banquet is more than just a meal; it is a profound promise of salvation, unity, and joy. God’s table is open to all nations, symbolizing the inclusivity and universality of His love. He removes the “veil” of death and sadness that covers humanity and replaces it with the joy of eternal communion with Him.
In the gospel, Jesus reveals the same heart of God—a heart moved with compassion for those in need. He notices their hunger, both physical and spiritual, and refuses to send them away empty-handed. With gratitude to the Father, He blesses the little that is offered and turns it into a feast for thousands.
The multiplication of loaves and fish reminds us of God’s ability to do great things with small offerings. Like the disciples, we often feel inadequate when faced with the enormity of needs around us. But Jesus invites us to bring what we have—no matter how little—and trust Him to multiply it.
This story is not just about miraculous provision but about a call to share in God’s generosity. Jesus didn’t feed the crowd alone; He involved His disciples, teaching them to serve others. Similarly, Isaiah’s vision challenges us to extend God’s banquet of love to those who are marginalized, lonely, or in need.
God’s abundant care inspires us to overcome fear and selfishness. He reminds us that His blessings are never scarce; they multiply when shared. In a world often driven by scarcity and competition, Jesus’ example calls us to live with a mindset of abundance—trusting that in God, there is always enough.
We are challenged today to examine our generosity. Do we share our resources, time, and talents freely, trusting in God’s providence? Are we willing to be instruments of His abundance, creating a space where others can experience His care and love?
My Action: The Lord invites us to His table of abundance, where He satisfies every need and heals every hurt. Let us trust in His limitless providence, offer Him what we have, and become His hands in feeding and comforting a world in hunger and need.
