Friday of the First Week of Advent
Intention: That the start of this Advent will herald for us a time of prayer and conversion as we return our hearts and our lives to the work of building God’s Kingdom of peace, justice, and love.
Today’s Gospel | Matthew 9:27-31
Jesus As Jesus passed by, two blind men followed him, crying out, “Son of David, have pity on us!” When he entered the house, the blind men approached him and Jesus said to them, “Do you believe that I can do this?” “Yes, Lord,” they said to him. Then he touched their eyes and said, “Let it be done for you according to your faith.” And their eyes were opened. Jesus warned them sternly, “See that no one knows about this.” But they went out and spread word of him through all that land.
A Reflection for the First Friday of Advent
For our Church, the Nativity is seen as a moment of grace for all people, but especially so for a certain people – those who were invisible to the world. In the Gospel narrative, the first to greet the Christ Child were the anawim – the poor, the afflicted, the unwelcome. For them, the birth of the Savior brought joy, not as a miracle sent, but as a promise kept. God came to them to say the he had never forgotten them and that he would always be with them. In his Son, he would call the world to turn away from the sinfulness of malice and injustice and return to the truth of our oneness as steadfast brothers and sisters. This is the gift that we were given to keep and to share. The time of Advent is a time for reflecting on the Incarnation as God’s “Yes” to all of us as his sacred and beloved people.
Prayer
Eternal Father, every day we find ourselves in need of you. We search for your strength and healing to help us with the hurt or empty places in our lives. Hear us as we call out to you. Let us feel your hand leading us out of our darkness and into your light. And, just as you sent your Son to give to your presence a human touch and voice, may we then take the blessing of your compassion to share with others. We pray that, in this Advent, we will make of ourselves gifts of good news of peace, mercy, and justice. We ask this of you who lives and reigns with your Son and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. Amen.