Image French: Le Christ et le centurion Commons Wikimedia
First reading Isaiah 2:1-5
The Lord gathers all nations together into the eternal peace of God’s kingdom
The vision of Isaiah son of Amoz, concerning Judah and Jerusalem.
In the days to come
the mountain of the Temple of the Lord
shall tower above the mountains
and be lifted higher than the hills.
All the nations will stream to it,
peoples without number will come to it; and they will say:
‘Come, let us go up to the mountain of the Lord,
to the Temple of the God of Jacob
that he may teach us his ways
so that we may walk in his paths;
since the Law will go out from Zion,
and the oracle of the Lord from Jerusalem.’
He will wield authority over the nations
and adjudicate between many peoples;
these will hammer their swords into ploughshares,
their spears into sickles.
Nation will not lift sword against nation,
there will be no more training for war.
O House of Jacob, come,
let us walk in the light of the Lord.
Responsorial Psalm 121(122):1-2,4-5,6-9
I rejoiced when I heard them say: ‘Let us go to God’s house.’
I rejoiced when I heard them say:
‘Let us go to God’s house.’
And now our feet are standing
within your gates, O Jerusalem.
I rejoiced when I heard them say: ‘Let us go to God’s house.’
It is there that the tribes go up,
the tribes of the Lord.
For Israel’s law it is,
there to praise the Lord’s name.
There were set the thrones of judgement
of the house of David.
I rejoiced when I heard them say: ‘Let us go to God’s house.’
For the peace of Jerusalem pray:
‘Peace be to your homes!
May peace reign in your walls,
in your palaces, peace!’
I rejoiced when I heard them say: ‘Let us go to God’s house.’
For love of my brethren and friends
I say: ‘Peace upon you!’
For love of the house of the Lord
I will ask for your good.
I rejoiced when I heard them say: ‘Let us go to God’s house.’
Gospel Matthew 8:5-11
‘I am not worthy to have you under my roof: give the word, and my servant will be healed’
When Jesus went into Capernaum a centurion came up and pleaded with him. ‘Sir,’ he said ‘my servant is lying at home paralysed, and in great pain.’ ‘I will come myself and cure him’ said Jesus. The centurion replied, ‘Sir, I am not worthy to have you under my roof; just give the word and my servant will be cured. For I am under authority myself, and have soldiers under me; and I say to one man: Go, and he goes; to another: Come here, and he comes; to my servant: Do this, and he does it.’ When Jesus heard this he was astonished and said to those following him, ‘I tell you solemnly, nowhere in Israel have I found faith like this. And I tell you that many will come from east and west to take their places with Abraham and Isaac and Jacob at the feast in the kingdom of heaven.’
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I will come myself and cure him
“Sir,’ he said, ‘my servant is lying at home paralysed and in great pain”. Let us pause here and reflect on the centurion’s words to Jesus. In this time of Advent, we might be feeling the joyful Christmas atmosphere around us. However, we are aware that many people are suffering. The Covid-19 pandemic has caused many people worldwide to suffer from economic insecurities, sickness and uncertain futures. Humanity seems to be paralysed with fear and anxiety and living in great pain of loneliness and suffering. Many might also be spiritually paralysed from doubts about God and struggles with dryness in prayer.
The centurion had a deep concern for his servant and went to Jesus to intercede for him. May we remember those we know who are suffering and intercede for their needs. “I will come myself and cure him”. With these words, Jesus revealed the compassion of God. Let us find comfort in His compassionate love for all His people and say with trust, “Only say the word, Lord…”.
Question for reflection:
Who would I like to intercede for today?
Who would I like to intercede for today?
Acknowledgment: Reflections are based on “Prayer for Living: The Word of God for Daily Prayer Year B/C” by Sr. Sandra Seow FMVD.
