HOMILY OF 1ST MONDAY OF THE ADVENT — YEAR A
HOMILY THEME: “Lord, I am not worthy to have you enter under my roof…”
BY: Bishop Anthony Ewherido
Isaiah 4: 2-6, Ps. 122, Matthew 8: 5-11
Human merit did not determine God’s decision to rescue us from sin and death. God’s mercy and love for His creation (John 3:16) initiated and completed our redemption. At Mass, we pray the Centurion’s words before Holy Communion; Jesus comes into us not because we are deserving: He becomes one with us, both in the Incarnation and Holy Communion, out of love and in order to unite us with God. Isaiah, one of the main Advent Prophets, welcomes us to Advent, with a message of hope, based on God’s promise of restoration, peace and fullness on the Mountain of the Lord, to which all God’s children are invited. Little wonder, the pagan petitioner in the Gospel was blessed with a positive response by Jesus, following the official’s humble prayer/disposition.
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Consequently, Jesus proclaimed the heavenly banquet that would accompany the gathering of all God’s children on the Lord’s Mountain; with special mention of Abraham, the father of the nations, and other Israelite patriarchs, with a gathering of people from the four corners of the earth. God’s invitation is inclusive and we must shun efforts to lock people out, who want to genuinely respond to God’s call. Also, the power of Jesus to reach us and those for whom we pray without physical contact is on display in the healing of the servant. Like the centurion and on this Advent, let us explore the power of intercessory prayer and bring the needy, our families and our broken world, to Jesus in prayer.
Lord, look not on our sins and unworthiness; but in your love and mercy, hear us. Amen.
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