HOMILY FOR MONDAY OF THE 3RD WEEK OF ADVENT
Homily for Monday of the 3rd week of Advent Number 24:2-7, 15-17; Matthew 21:23-27 In the first reading of today, we are told that while the Israelites were en route to the promised land, at Moab, Balak, the king of the Moabites, sent Balaam, a pagan diviner, to curse them. However, instead of laying a curse on them, Balaam blessed them. Balaam declared: "How fair are your tents, O Jacob, your encampments, Israel! Like palm groves that stretch far away, like gardens beside a river, like aloes that the Lord had planted, like cedar trees beside the waters. Water shall flow from his buckets, and his seeds shall have abundant water, his king shall be higher than Agag, and his kingdom shall be exalted" (Num 24:5-7). "A star shall come out of Jacob, and a scepter shall rise out of Israel" (Num 24:17). The church fathers have interpreted this passage as a messianic prophecy, considering the Davidic origin and scepter which signals authority and power. Hence, Jesus has ...