Homily for Monday of the 2nd week of Advent

Homily for Monday of the 2nd Week of Advent

Isaiah 35:1-10; Luke 5:17-26.

In the First Reading, we hold an extraordinary notification of yearning, expectancy, and hope from the Prophet Isaiah exclusively like the populace of Israel of old, when he said: "Say to those who are of fearful heart, 'Be strong, fear not! Behold, your God will come with vengeance, with the recompense of God. He will come and save you" (Isa.35:4). These proclamations are accomplished in the advent of our Lord Jesus Christ who has come to redeem and liberate us from sin and death. 

Beloved in Christ, notwithstanding the difficulties we pass through at these challenging moments as a nation, let us be reassured and comforted with these proclamations for we have a God who is ever trustworthy,  reliable, and faithful, who never forsaken those who put their confidence and conviction in Him.

Jesus will counter, obliterate and save us from spiritual and natural catastrophes and tragedies as He did in today's Gospel. He did not only heal the paralyzed man physically but went ahead to forgive his sins to prove "that the Son of man has authority on earth to forgive sins" (Luke 5:24).

The miracles of Jesus in today's Gospel were a result of the faith of some group of men who were determined despite all odds to get the paralyzed man to Jesus for healing. Even when they could not carry him through the door, they created access through the roof. Without their help, the paralyzed man would not have come to the attention of Jesus.

The conviction and faith advocated by the good deeds of these men gave rise to a feeling of amazement that seized the people and filled them with awe, declaring, "We have seen strange things today" (Luke 5:26).

Periodically, we require people who would carry us like the paralyzed man to Jesus and we need the neighborliness of these men who carried him. Let us formulate most importantly, the tradition of asking people to pray for us.

Brothers and sisters in Christ, the crowd in today's Gospel acknowledges that and experiences the healing power of Jesus and his divine authority. He heals their bodily diseases and forgives their sins. In what area am I in need of healing? Am I willing to go to Jesus for healing despite the hurdles that block my access to Him?

May God grant us spiritual and physical healing from all that afflicts us through Christ our Lord. Amen.