THE WORD BECAME FLESH

Monday in first week of Advent, 2021

Isa 2:1-5

Ps

Matt 8:5-11

Many will come

Dear friends in Christ, God calls us to himself. This call is not limited to a particular people or race though it begins from somewhere. All those who accept the call are invited to become a people of God united in Christ. It is a unity that goes beyond every other form of affiliation.

In our first reading today (Isaiah 2:1-5) Isaiah sees the vision of a Judah and Jerusalem built on a mountain that will tower over and above every other mountain. “It shall come to pass in the latter days that the mountain of the house of the Lord shall be established as the highest of the mountains, and shall be raised above all the hills, and all the nations shall flow to it…” Isaiah is not likely talking of the physical mountain but its significance. The house of the Lord like a magnet to metal, will attract the attention of people not only from within the city but from other nations. No doubt this prophesy has been fulfilled but not the other part of the prophesy in which Isaiah talks about peace where implements of war will be turned into that of production and development, “They shall beat their swords into ploughshares, and their spears into pruning hooks, nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war anymore.” We continue to hope and pray for such days. 

In the Gospel (Matthew 8:5-11), we see the encounter of Jesus and the Centurion in Capernaum. Not minding his position, he came to Jesus to plead for help, “Lord, my servant is lying paralysed at home, in terrible distress.” Jesus was willing to go down to his house to heal that servant, but the Centurion demonstrated even a greater faith, something that would have surprised anyone at the time. He said to Jesus, “Lord, I am not worthy to have you come under my roof. But only say the word, and my servant will be healed.” This non-Jew demonstrating such faith in Jesus, is a figure of all the nations who would make their way to God, not because of the Temple in Jerusalem but because of the ministry and mission of Jesus and his followers. Far beyond each one’s race and culture, a firm believe and trust in Jesus, is the true path to salvation. To the faith of the Centurion Jesus says, “Truly I say to you, not even in Israel have I found such faith. I tell you, many will come from east and west and sit at table with Abraham,  Isaac, and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven.” Today, from almost all the nations upon the earth, we have people who have attached themselves to Jesus and his teachings. Examine how strong your faith is in him.

Let us pray: Help us Lord in our Advent journey, to walk the path of hope, peace and holiness. Amen.

+Remain blessed