Saturday, December 6, 2014

Saturday 6 December #Tender



Then Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, and proclaiming the good news of the kingdom, and curing every disease and every sickness. When he saw the crowds, he had compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful, but the labourers are few; therefore ask the Lord of the harvest to send out labourers into his harvest.”

Then Jesus summoned his twelve disciples and gave them authority over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to cure every disease and every sickness.

Go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. As you go, proclaim the good news, ‘The kingdom of heaven has come near.’ Cure the sick, raise the dead, cleanse the lepers, cast out demons. You received without payment; give without payment. Matthew 9:35– 10:1, 6-8

Readings: Psalm 147:1-6, Isaiah 30:18-21,23-26 and Matthew 9:35-10:1,-8

Reflection




Each Advent we hear the call “wake up” but to what? The presence of God’s Kingdom in our midst. Isaiah tells us, “The Lord will give you the bread you need and the water for which you thirst.” A command is also issued, “This is the way; walk in it.” Find the bread you need; search for the water you need. The “you” is both individual and communal. The Psalmist tells us that the Lord takes pleasure in the devout, those who seek and await his faithful care. 

Matthew tells us Jesus proclaimed the Kingdom of God, and he cured every disease and illness. At the sight of the crowd, his heart was moved with pity for them, because they felt troubled and abandoned. Jesus then summoned his twelve disciples and said to them, “Go after the lost sheep of the house of Israel. As you go, announce the Kingdom of God. Cure the sick, cleanse the lepers, drive out demons.” In these readings, we see Jesus reacting to the troubled and abandoned by being compassionate and caring for all the suffering. This Advent we are called again to this mission of building God’s Kingdom. Because of this call, we must be awake to the cry of the poor and suffering. We must be as compassionate and caring for the poor and suffering as Jesus was.




Alleluia, alleluia.
As you proclaim go, proclaim the good news, “The Kingdom of heaven has come near”.
Alleluia, alleluia.

 
Prayer
Patient, life giving and
enabling God
through your grace that dawned upon humankind
enable me to open my life to you so that you may
dwell in me.
That I may abide and remain with you forever.

Amen


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