Daily Scripture Reflection & Prayer: December 9, 2023

Date:   Saturday of the 1st Week of Advent

 Scripture Text:  Matthew 9:35–10:1, 5a, 6-8

Jesus went around to all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the Gospel of the Kingdom, and curing every disease and illness. At the sight of the crowds, his heart was moved with pity for them because they were troubled and abandoned, like sheep without a shepherd. Then he said to his disciples, "The harvest is abundant but the laborers are few; so ask the master of the harvest to send out laborers for his harvest."Then he summoned his Twelve disciples and gave them authority over unclean spirits to drive them out and to cure every disease and every illness.Jesus sent out these Twelve after instructing them thus, “Go to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. As you go, make this proclamation: 'The Kingdom of heaven is at hand.' Cure the sick, raise the dead, cleanse lepers, drive out demons. Without cost you have received; without cost you are to give."

Breaking the text open – background and summary:

 The gospel reading for today comes to us from the Gospel of Matthew and recounts Jesus ‘compassionate activities among the peoples of the towns and villages. He spoke to his disciples about the lack of laborers for His Father’s work. Then later in the gospel, we hear of his sending forth the 12 disciples on mission to proclaim that “the Kingdom of heaven is at hand” and to cure the sick and possessed, reminding them that they themselves had received the LORD’s loving presence and compassionate care without cost and that they were to give without cost.

Meditating on the text with personal questions:

 Do I pray for the Kingdom of God? Do I pray that I better understand and embrace my own role in the LORD’s divine design for humanity including myself?

Praying:

LORD, Almighty Father, Beloved Son, Most Holy Spirit, who are we that You care for us as You do? Who are we that You shower us with your love and give yourself for our life and salvation? As we ponder the wealth of your loving power and presence in our world and in very lives, we pray that You will fill us with the courage and fortitude to be workers in your Kingdom, heralds of your Good News, to our sisters and brothers both near us and far away. Grant that we may go out of ourselves and our comfort zones to bring your transformative love to others and to tell them of your love so powerful that even death cannot defeat it. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be world without end. Amen.