The Word today, Advent1C
- Admin
- Nov 29, 2024
- 3 min read
Updated: Dec 5, 2024
December 02 - December 07, 2024
Isaiah 2:1-5 As a new church year opens, our rst reading is a clarion call to start again and set out on the pilgrimage of faith fresh vision and energy. The marvellous image of transforming weapons of war into instruments of agriculture speaks in every age.
Matthew 8:5-11 The faith of the centurion is indeed remarkable: “just give the word.” What “word” from the Lord do I need at this moment in my life?
St Francis Xavier, religious and priest
Isaiah 11:1-10 The human hope for harmony is portrayed in this reading as a harmony in nature itself, even among the most unlikely animals.
Luke 10:21-24 Jesus pronounces a remarkable prayer in today’s gospel, a very encouraging prayer: we all stand before the mystery and mercy of God, thank God!
St John Damascene, priest and doctor
Isaiah 25:6-10 This reading is familiar from funerals; it offers a great vision of God and God’s gift of ultimate, comprehensive consolation. The idea that God will destroy death for ever was a hope at the time of writing; in our Christian faith we know that God has achieved this in Jesus.
Matthew 15:29-37 The compassion of Jesus is outstanding in this reading: it is he who names the need and supplies the food. What hunger does he identify in us today? How are we nourished by him?
Isaiah 26:1-6 As you listen, you may notice all the words to do with protection: strong city, gates, rock, citadel, forming a great call to faith and trust in God.
Matthew 7:21,24-27 It is always tempting to think that once you’ve said your prayers, you’re done. The prophets regularly pillory such complacency and so does Jesus. In addition, awareness of local geography adds over to his words. In the Judean desert, there are dry river beds called wadis, subject to ash oods. To build on such an exposed foundation is the very height of foolishness.
St Nicholas, bishop
Isaiah 29:17-24 As often in the Bible, there are promises to the deaf, the blind and the poor. Each of us is precisely dead, blind and poor and so the message is for us all today, if only we would pay attention. We hold fast to conviction that the Lord is our light and our help.
Matthew 9:27-31 Miracle stories, like today’s, are always meant to be taken at two levels. Rather than wonder about the past, we could ask in the present, how am I blind? What is my need of the gift of sight which comes with faith?
St Ambrose, bishop and doctor
Isaiah 30:19-21,23-26 The prophet raises the hopes of his hearers with a grand vision of peace and prosperity, a gift of God himself. Such harmony and well being come from following the way offered by God. Their delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law they meditate day and night. They are like trees planted by streams of water, which yield their fruit in its season, and their leaves do not wither. (Psalms 1:2–3).
Matthew 9:35-10:1,5,6-8 Again, it is the compassion of Jesus which is outstanding. He feels and he acts and he sends out. Our need for the word of compassion and the healing touch of God is great. Perhaps I too am being called to some ministry in the community of faith or in society at large?
References
-United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. (2024ac, December 1). First Sunday of Advent. USCCB. https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/120124.cfm
-Sunday readings. (n.d.-s). Hearers of the Word. https://www.tarsus.ie/SundayReadings/
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