Catholic Mass Readings and Reflection December 06, 2024
First Week of Advent
06th December 2024 (Friday)
Psalter: Week 1
Readings of the Day
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.
Psalm 27:1, 4, 13-14 (R. 1a)
R/. The Lord is my light and my salvation.
Gospel Acclamation
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.
Daily Gospel Reflection
Friday – First Week of Advent
Guidelines: Many suffer from interior blindness. They are not able to see the way. Therefore, either they do not walk the way or they stumble if they walk
1. Jesus was the awaited Messiah. The messianic times foretold in Isaiah would be fulfilled in him. His coming will usher in a restoration of fruitfulness and faithfulness. “In that day, the deaf shall hear… and the blind shall see.” “The meek shall obtain fresh joy and the poor shall exult.” There will be no more shame or distress.
2. It will be a time of renewed sanctification. However, on the other hand, it will also be a time of divine justice. The ruthless shall come to nothing and the scoffer cease, and all who do evil shall be cut off.
3. Jesus and his mission fulfill all these messianic gifts and predictions. The healing of two blind men in the gospel is a concrete testimony to this. But what is noteworthy is that this divine gift of healing necessitates a response, cooperation from the human part.
4. This response is seen in the faith of the two blind men. Faith is the condition for God’s action. However, this does not mean that faith conditions or restricts God’s action. It only indicates that faith is required for the reception and experience of the effect of God’s grace.
5. Jesus elicits this “profession of faith” from them. Thereby he indicates to them that healing and God’s grace are not to be taken for granted. They shall not expect healing to take place automatically. Every intervention of God’s grace requires a proper disposition.
6. Hence Jesus’ question, “Do you believe that I can do this?” and they confess, “Yes, we do believe.” Thereupon, Jesus touches their eyes. Here we see the personal touch and concern of Jesus.
7. Further, we also see here the humility and the magnanimity of Jesus. He shifts the whole credit to their faith, as Jesus says, “According to your faith may it happen to you.” For sure, Jesus is not like many of us who do little but want to steal the whole show because we are too greedy for self-glory. In contrast, Jesus warns them, “See that no one knows about it.”
Practice: The same mission of giving sight to the blind is entrusted to each one of us. There is so much darkness of sin that blinds many. We must heal their blindness and open their eyes. But for this, first of all, we should be clear-sighted
