First Week of Advent
Year I
06th December 2024 (Friday)
Psalter: Week 1
Reading of the Day
| First Reading | Isaiah 29:17-24 |
| Response | The Lord is my light and my salvation. |
| Gospel | Matthew 9:27-31 |
First Reading
Isaiah 29:17-24
Thus says the Lord GOD: But a very little while, and Lebanon shall be changed into an orchard, and the orchard be regarded as a forest! On that day the deaf shall hear the words of a book; And out of gloom and darkness, the eyes of the blind shall see. The lowly will ever find joy in the LORD, and the poor rejoice in the Holy One of Israel. For the tyrant will be no more and the arrogant will have gone; All who are alert to do evil will be cut off, those whose mere word condemns a man, Who ensnare his defender at the gate, and leave the just man with an empty claim. Therefore thus says the LORD, the God of the house of Jacob, who redeemed Abraham: Now Jacob shall have nothing to be ashamed of, nor shall his face grow pale. When his children see the work of my hands in his midst, They shall keep my name holy; they shall reverence the Holy One of Jacob, and be in awe of the God of Israel. Those who err in spirit shall acquire understanding, and those who find fault shall receive instruction.
Responsorial Psalm
Psalm 27:1, 4, 13-14 (R. 1a)
R/. The Lord is my light and my salvation.
The LORD is my light and my salvation;
whom should I fear?
The LORD is my life’s refuge;
of whom should I be afraid? R/.
One thing I ask of the LORD;
this I seek:
To dwell in the house of the LORD
all the days of my life,
That I may gaze on the loveliness of the LORD
and contemplate his temple. R/.
I believe that I shall see the bounty of the LORD
in the land of the living.
Wait for the LORD with courage;
be stouthearted, and wait for the LORD. R/.
Gospel Acclamation
Isaiah 55:6
V/. Alleluia
R/. Alleluia
V/. Behold, our Lord shall come with power; he will enlighten the eyes of his servants.
R/. Alleluia.
Gospel
Matthew 9:27-31
As Jesus passed by, two blind men followed him, crying out, “Son of David, have pity on us!” When he entered the house, the blind men approached him and Jesus said to them, “Do you believe that I can do this?” “Yes, Lord,” they said to him. Then he touched their eyes and said, “Let it be done for you according to your faith.” And their eyes were opened. Jesus warned them sternly, “See that no one knows about this.” But they went out and spread word of him through all that land.
Reflection
When we encounter darkness, our hearts long for light, and when we face silence, we yearn for a word of hope. These desires remind us that God created us for more than this world offers; He made us to see clearly and to hear Him fully.
The prophet Isaiah paints a picture of transformation: deserts blooming, the deaf hearing, and the blind seeing. This is not mere poetry—it is the promise of God’s power to renew all things. It reminds us that where we see barrenness, God sees potential; where we feel despair, He is already planting hope.
In the Gospel, two blind men cry out to Jesus: “Son of David, have mercy on us!” Their blindness did not stop them from recognizing who Jesus was. In their vulnerability, they teach us an invaluable lesson: faith begins when we acknowledge our need for God. Jesus’ response is not only to heal their eyes but to affirm their faith, saying, “Let it be done for you according to your faith.”
But faith is not just about believing; it is about trusting enough to take action. The blind men followed Jesus into the house before they were healed. Their steps in darkness were acts of trust, and their reward was the light of sight.
As we reflect on these readings, we are invited to consider the deserts and blindness in our own lives. Where have we stopped believing that God can bring transformation? Where have we chosen silence over crying out to Him for mercy?
Advent is a season of expectation, and today’s readings remind us of the God who turns impossibilities into testimonies. Like the blind men, may we have the courage to follow Jesus even when we cannot see the way clearly. And like the promise of Isaiah, may we trust that God is already at work, preparing our hearts to blossom with new life.
So let us cry out in faith, walk in trust, and wait in hope, knowing that the one who came to heal the blind will also bring light to every shadow in our lives. And as He transforms us, may we reflect His light to others, becoming witnesses of His grace and mercy.
