THE MIRACLE OF HOPE

December 2, 2024 – Monday First Week of Advent

Click here for the readings (https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/120224.cfm)

We make prayer requests every now and then for our personal and communal intentions. We believe in the power of prayer because we also believe that the Lord is merciful and good to us. Such ways are already expressions of faith filled with hope which this Season of Advent is all about.

In fact our readings express such faith filled with hope. This is what I would like emphasize today. The first reading from the Book of Isaiah envisions a future where there will be peace and harmony. Wars and violence shall end, hatred and anger in the hearts of many shall vanish. This is captured by Isaiah in his words where swords and spears that were meant to kill one another will be transformed into agricultural tools. People will begin to come together despite the differences to support and help each other, to nurture and cherish one another. This is how peace and harmony will dwell in our hearts, homes and communities.

In those times of war and violence, this was proclaimed that expressed faith filled with hope and this is because we all belong to God. This calls us now this Season of Advent to examine our hearts, are we also ready to put down our biases and prejudices against each other?

This is what the disciples of Jesus were invited to do the same. The Roman centurion (meaning a commander of a hundred soldiers) approached and beg Jesus to heal his servant. This Roman soldier represented the foreign power which dominated Israel at that time. He was an image of an oppressor, an enemy who brought pain and suffering to the people.

Yet, this very encounter challenged the disciples to recognize the faith of another person different from them. Hence, the humility and faith of this Roman soldier was praised by Jesus because of the concern he showed not for himself but for his sick servant, for another person.

This is where we find the familiar words of the Roman soldier which we also pronounce almost word for word as we receive the Body of Christ, “Lord, I am not worthy to receive you under my roof, but only say the word and my servant will be healed.”

This is where the miracle of hope was unfolded, the sick servant was healed, biases and prejudices as well as hatred and anger towards one another vanished. This means that when our faith is filled with hope, it heals not just our physically illness but as well as our fearful hearts, bruised hearts, traumatized hearts, hearts filled with anger and hatred. This is how the miracle of hope transforms us into a people invited to live in peace and harmony. Hinaut pa.