2nd Week of Advent, Monday, Dec 7
Isaiah 35:1-10 / Luke 5:17-26
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At the time of the
exile, in what is called “the little Apocalypse” (Is 34-35), a disciple of
Isaiah describes the return of the Jews to Jerusalem and the Holy Land as a
return to Paradise: no sin, no suffering, no fatigue even, with all sickness
cured and creation sharing in the liberation of people. For God dwells among
his people.
These glowing terms
begin to apply more fully when Jesus comes and forgives sin and illness, the
consequences and manifestations of sin. When Jesus appears, he comes to bring
life to the poor. Yes, the lame people leap for joy, for God has taken pity on
them through Jesus.
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Do
we truly long for Christ’s final coming? When the Lord comes, “the blind will
be able to see, and the deaf will hear. The lame will leap and dance, and those
who cannot speak will shout for joy.” Isaiah
35:5-6
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Sewing back a button on a shirt or stitching the seams of two pieces of cloth may seem a rather simple and uncomplicated thing. But for those of us who don't usually use the thread and needle, it can be quite a challenge. Looking for the correct needle and then looking for that spool of thread might already make us think of sending whatever we are mending to those who can do it quickly and professionally.
In
the ministry of Jesus, He preached the Good News and performed miracles and He
also healed the sick. In today's gospel, we heard about Jesus healing of the
paralyzed man. But just as sewing back a button or sewing two pieces of cloth
is not an easy thing, neither was it for Jesus healing the paralyzed man.
In this season of Advent, as we prepare for the celebration of the birth of Christ, we also prepare our hearts to receive Him into our lives. We need to be aware of what are our sins and to ask for forgiveness and healing. We are like a shirt missing a button or two, or we may be like a piece of cloth that has a tear and needs some sewing. Jesus will "sew" us back and make us whole. He came for this. Let us believe that He will forgive our sins and that we will be healed.***
Let
us Pray: Lord our God, you come among your people; to those who
are poor and paralyzed you bring them your forgiveness and your
tender compassion through your Son Jesus Christ. God, make us
deeply believe that you want to liberate us from our discouragement and
powerlessness. Give us a sincere, trusting hope in your healing,
compassionate love, through Christ Jesus our Lord.