The Catholic Calendar for Monday, December 10, 2001
The Second Week of Advent
Scripture from today's Liturgy of the Word:
Isaiah 4:2-6
Psalm 122:1-9
Matthew 8:5-11
Full text: http://www.nccbuscc.org/nab/index.htm
A Reflection on Today's Scripture:
Upon seeing their faith, Jesus said, "Man, thy sins are forgiven
thee." (Luke 5:20)
The theme of today's reading is deliverance. No one can doubt that
humanity is burdened by sin; so much so that the greater portion of
the world's people resembles the paralytic in today's Gospel:
crippled, if not in body, then in mind, heart or spirit. Our behavior
attests to this. Recall especially the events of September 11th.
which its perpetrators interpreted to be acts of a "holy war."
Christ sees into our secret beings, and therefore perceives our most
urgent needs. He knows that this paralytic is bound by more than
physical limitations. For the man to be totally healed, he must first
experience the loving, forgiving mercy of God. Once he sees himself
in God's true light and is delivered of his sin and guilt, he can
rise to his feet unfettered by his burdens. In this act, Christ
reveals to those who have eyes to see and ears to hear that He is the
awaited One Who has authority over all things; for God alone can
rightly judge and forgive sins.
The remainder of today's readings jubilantly describe the wonders God
performs in and for those who believe, follow and obey Him. We see a
panoramic view of all the good that comes through faith and our
absolute surrender to His sovereign power.
As long as sin remains active in even one single person, suffering
and strife will remain in this world. Sin inevitably leads to
suffering, because it is never a private matter (as some try to lead
us to believe); there is always a victim, be it oneself, family or
neighbor. In brief, sin mars lives and hence dims God's glory on this
earth.
Father God,
we joyfully await the coming of your Son,
the true Light which can banish the darkness
enveloping human hearts and minds.
Amen.
- Marie L. Bocko, ocds
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