Dec 5 2020 Reflection
Saturday 5 December 2020
First Reading: IS 30:19-21, 23-26
Responsorial Psalm:
Blessed are all who wait for the Lord.
PS 147:1-2, 3-4, 5-6
Gospel Reading: MT 9:35–10:1, 5A, 6-8
Today’s Note: Saturday of the First Week of Advent
Gospel Reading:
Jesus went around to all the towns and villages,
teaching in their synagogues,
proclaiming the Gospel of the Kingdom,
and curing every disease and illness.
At the sight of the crowds, his heart was moved with pity for them
because they were troubled and abandoned,
like sheep without a shepherd.
Then he said to his disciples,
“The harvest is abundant but the laborers are few;
so ask the master of the harvest
to send out laborers for his harvest.”
Then he summoned his Twelve disciples
and gave them authority over unclean spirits to drive them out
and to cure every disease and every illness.
Jesus sent out these Twelve after instructing them thus,
“Go to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.
As you go, make this proclamation: ‘The Kingdom of heaven is at hand.’
Cure the sick, raise the dead,
cleanse lepers, drive out demons.
Without cost you have received; without cost you are to give.”
Reflection:
The Kingdom of heaven is at hand. (Matthew 10:7)
The Jews who heard this proclamation must have been startled. Where was this kingdom, and who was in charge? They were looking for a human ruler who would resolve the very real problems they were facing: poverty, illness, injustice, and oppression. And yet, two thousand years later, we still see those same problems in the world.
But God doesn’t lie. Jesus announced that the kingdom is at hand, and so it is. We just need the eyes to see it. Like the Israelites, when we hear the word “kingdom,” we naturally picture earthly domains ruled by powerful leaders. In its fullness, though, the kingdom of heaven is a matter of love because Love Itself reigns over God’s kingdom.
So how do we, who are citizens of the kingdom, reveal this kingdom to the people around us? By imitating Jesus, the One whose love rules his kingdom. By following the example of Jesus, whose heart is moved with compassion (Matthew 9:36). Throughout his ministry, Jesus met the needs of the people he encountered with generosity, kindness, and gentleness. Think of the leper who came to him for healing or the woman caught in adultery whom he refused to condemn (Luke 5:12-13; John 8:1-11). If we want to advance God’s kingdom, we need to ask for the grace to love as Jesus did.
Do you know someone who could use a sympathetic ear or words of encouragement? It may even be someone in your family! Look around to see if anyone needs consolation or prayer for healing or even a pot of homemade soup. Or perhaps God is calling to you to become more active in serving the poor or advocating for them.
You are an emissary of the King of heaven. God is counting on you to make his kingdom not just a lovely idea but one that is real and visible. That means a kingdom filled with citizens who respond generously and compassionately to the needs around them.
“Jesus, help me to advance your kingdom wherever I go today.”
