First Week of Advent
Year I
02nd December 2024 (Monday)
Psalter: Week 1
Reading of the Day
| First Reading | Isaiah 2:1-5 |
| Response | Let us go rejoicing to the house of the Lord. |
| Gospel | Matthew 8:5-11 |
First Reading
Isaiah 2:1-5
This is what Isaiah, son of Amoz, saw concerning Judah and Jerusalem. In days to come, The mountain of the LORD’s house shall be established as the highest mountain and raised above the hills. All nations shall stream toward it; many peoples shall come and say: “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.” 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 for war again. O house of Jacob, come, let us walk in the light of the LORD!
Responsorial Psalm
Psalm 122:1-2, 3-4b, 4cd-5, 6-7, 8-9 (R. see 1)
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/.
Jerusalem, built as a city
with compact unity.
To it the tribes go up,
the tribes of the LORD. R/.
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/.
Pray for the peace of Jerusalem!
May those who love you prosper!
May peace be within your walls,
prosperity in your buildings. R/.
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/.
Gospel Acclamation
See Psalm 80:4
V/. Alleluia
R/. Alleluia
V/. Come and save us, LORD our God; Let your face shine upon us, that we may be saved.
R/. Alleluia.
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.”
Reflection
Main Point: True faith is a journey, a movement from darkness to light, from isolation to communion, and from fear to trust in the Lord’s promises.
The readings today paint a beautiful picture of what it means to walk in faith and hope. Isaiah’s vision is one of unity, where all nations ascend the mountain of the Lord. This journey toward God is not only physical but deeply spiritual—a call to be drawn by His light, His truth, and His peace.
The prophet describes a time when swords will be turned into ploughshares and spears into pruning hooks. This transformation signifies the end of hostility and the beginning of a shared mission: cultivating life, harmony, and mutual flourishing. Such a world becomes possible when humanity allows itself to be guided by the Lord’s ways and teachings.
In the gospel, we encounter a Roman centurion—a man of power and authority—who demonstrates humility and profound faith. Despite his position, he acknowledges Jesus’ supreme authority over sickness and life itself. His words, “Lord, I am not worthy,” echo our own prayer at Mass, reminding us of the faith we are called to emulate.
The centurion’s faith is extraordinary not because it was loud or ostentatious, but because it was rooted in trust and understanding. He believed in Jesus’ word, confident that it had the power to heal and restore, even from a distance.
Both readings invite us to examine our faith. Are we climbing the mountain of the Lord with determination, letting His word shape our actions and choices? Are we, like the centurion, placing our trust completely in Jesus, even in situations that seem beyond our control?
This Advent season is a time to rekindle our hope and renew our faith. We are invited to turn away from the “swords and spears” in our lives—the conflicts, anxieties, and selfish pursuits—and instead cultivate “ploughshares and pruning hooks” of peace, love, and generosity.
The centurion inspires us to approach Jesus with humility, recognizing His greatness and our dependence on His mercy. Isaiah’s vision challenges us to walk in His light, contributing to a world where God’s kingdom of peace and justice can flourish.
My Action: Advent is a journey toward the coming of Christ. Let us walk this journey with hearts full of faith, humility, and trust, becoming instruments of His peace and witnesses to His light in a world longing for hope.
