Breaking the Word

1^st week of Advent, Friday – 03^rd December 2021 — Gospel: Mt 9,27-31

Dawn of the Golden age

Saint Francis Xavier, an apostle mad with Saint Paul’s madness, is a marvelous example of a great missionary, visionary and a prophet. The zeal he displayed, the novel methods he used, the wonderful miracles he performed, and the great number of souls he brought to the light of true faith, entitle him to this distinction. In a short span of ten years (1542-1552), he visited so many countries in South Asian region (India, Sri Lanka, Malacca and the Maluku Islands, Japan and China), traversed so many seas, preached the Gospel to so many nations, and converted so many peoples. He stands unique in his apostolic zeal since the time of the Apostles.

The story of the two blind men places emphasis on their initiative and faith. Their loud call to Jesus and their following him right into a house demonstrate their persistent faith. However, Jesus, who emphasized the centrality of mercy in his mission (Mt 9,9-13), is now asked to show mercy to these blind men. In addressing him as “Son of David,” they make their appeal explicitly that Jesus, the Davidic Messiah-king, should hear the cries of the poor among his own people Israel (Ps 72,12-13). Matthew, in highlighting this title for Jesus, indicates not only Jesus’ Jewish and Davidic ties as Messiah (1,1-17.20; 2,1-6), but also his special desire to heal the poor or marginalized. While these blind men recognize Jesus as the promised Messiah, the sighted people are unable to do so. Matthew assumes that his readers will remember Is 35,5 that in the golden age to come the eyes of the blind will be opened. By requesting healing, the blind men are giving voice to the faith that in Jesus’ presence the golden age has dawned already.

1^st Week of Advent, Thursday – 2^nd December 2021 — Gospel:  Mt 7,21.24-27

Deceiving Oneself

Jesus states emphatically that entry into God’s kingdom is determined by “doing” the Father’s will and not by mere words, lofty titles and fervent pleas. That is, right action is more important than right words. In order to do the Father’s will in the right perspective Jesus narrates the parable of the two builders. The point here is that besides genuine action, one’s foresight is to be noted. At first glance, the builder who builds his house on sand and the one who builds on rock, both are doing the same construction. It is only when the rain falls, the storm comes, and the wind blows, that the difference is seen.  The house built on rock continues to stand, whereas the one built on sand falls. St.James exhorts us to “be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves” (Jas 1,22). First, we must hear the word and then allow it to penetrate our hearts in order to respond with a genuine action. The wise person represents those who put Jesus’ words into practice. Those who pretend to have faith are foolish builders. When the storms of life come, the structures fool no one; not even they fool God, but the builder deceives himself.