Homily for Monday of the 1st week of Advent

Homily for Monday of the 1st Week of Advent 

Isaiah 4:2-6; Matthew 8:5-11.

In the First Reading, Prophet Isaiah tells us that, "the Lord will create over the whole site of Mount Sion and the assemblies a cloud by day, and smoke and the shining of a flaming fire by night; for over all the glory there will be a canopy and a pavilion" (Isa.4:5-6). Once we truly surrender ourselves to God, every evil against us will be conquered because the Lord will create over us a protective cloud by day and a shining flaming fire by night.

In today's Gospel, the centurion is presented to us as a model of faith worth emulating. Firstly, he is concerned about the health of a servant when he had a hundred servants under his authority. Secondly, despite his position of authority, he was humble enough to approach Jesus out of humility for his servant's healing. Lastly, he had so much faith in Jesus to the extent that all he required from Jesus is for Him to say the word and his servant will be healed. The Catholic Church immortalized him because we use his words at Mass daily before receiving Holy Communion, "Lord, I am not worthy to receive you, but only say the word and I shall be healed".

As a result of his faith, Jesus said, "Truly, I say to you, not even in Israel have I found such faith" (Matt.8:10). If a centurion, regarded by the Jews as a pagan could have much faith in Jesus, how much more faith should we who are Christ disciples have? We must have absolute faith in Jesus no matter the tribulations we are going through.

May God grant us an increase in faith through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Have a blessed day!