From Living Faith Daily Catholic Devotions (Oct/Nov/Dec 25)

Advent Weekday

Isaiah 4:2-6 + Psalm 122:1-9 + Matthew 8:5-11

Jesus Who Gathers Us

…many will come from the east and the west…[to] the banquet in the Kingdom of heaven. Matthew 8:11

Recently, I attended Mass at St. Peter’s Basilica, Rome.  The liturgy, in Italian, was not easy to follow.  I did not pick up the homily.  The songs were unfamiliar to my foreign tongue. (I caught some of the melodies, though!) But, when the time came to pray the Our Father, it was a magnificent cacophony of many different languages lifted in one voice. The Sign of Peace was equally uplifting; people from all over, every race and creed, culture and tongue, rejoicing together.  East and west meeting in joyful hope.

The centurion in the Gospel today was an outsider, an enemy even, to the followers of Jesus.  but, in faith, he came to Jesus like all who long for healing and help or something more.  Jesus responds with a miracle and a message: The Kingdom is open to all who come in hope and faith to the abundant Love of God.

God, make us a church of true welcome, and gather us all to you!

□ Sarah Hart