May the Lord give you grace, peace, and health in the Holy Spirit. It is on 28th November 2022. We reflect on Isaiah 4:2-6 and Matthew 8:5-11.
Do we notice Jesus passing by?
The hopeful promises are offered to all of us. Salvation is for everyone. God does not reserve salvation for a selected few but for all people through His Only Jesus Christ. God wants to assure all of us that God fulfills the promises in God’s time. Advent is the time God visits us. It is our duty to see that our doors are open for the Lord to enter.
The cry of the prophet Isaiah is echoed in our hearts and homes. God wants to mend our ways and fill us with God’s peace. We are all entitled to such peace. God alone can give us peace. The prophecies are fulfilled in Jesus, yet we can experience it when we are willing to open our hearts to the voice of God. God wants us to come up to the mount.
However unworthy and sinful we could feel we are all God’s children. No matter what, Jesus vows to heal our wounds and forgive our sins.
Our hope is anchored in Christ, and our faith is fruitful and not feigning. The Roman centurion expressed such hope in the Lord. “Lord, I am not worthy to have you come under my roof; but only speak the word, and my servant will be healed.” (Mt.8:8). This is the very statement of faith we all pronounce just before Him in the Most Holy Eucharist in our tongue during the eucharistic banquet. The official could recognize the Lord when He passed by.
May we keep our doors open for the Lord. In the angelus, His Holiness Pope Francis invited to welcome the Lord this way: “Your Lord is coming” (Mt 24:42). God is coming, God is near and is coming. Let us never forget this! The Lord always comes, the Lord visits us, the Lord makes himself close and will return at the end of time to welcome us in his embrace. Before this word, we ask ourselves: How will the Lord come? And how will we recognize him and welcome him?”
May God continue to be humble enough to invite Him into our messy and murky mangers. God bless you.