[Ciexyz]

Here's hoping all of us can combine the busyness of the season with time for rest and reflection.

[Salvation]

Monday, Nevember 28

First Monday of Advent

Healed from the Inside

Advent is a celebration of the Father’s distinctive answer to the question posed by the Roman centurion in the event of encountering Jesus. The Word that will heal the paralyzed servant, who is “lying at home and suffering dreadfully,” has been spoken by the Father; it permeates all of reality. In a sense the centurion is right in saying there is no need for Jesus “to enter under his roof.”

An encounter with Jesus is enough to be so inundated with the generative power of the Father that there is nothing but to surrender or to struggle. The Roman centurion surrenders because he knows the rich possibilities born from the interplay of obedience and authority.

Advent faith celebrates the Father’s distinctive answer as a continuing encounter with that authoritative Presence to which the centurion subjected himself and his household. Advent faith recognizes that the Father’s Word heals humanity from the inside, “under the roof,” exactly where we live, move, and have our being. It possesses a hope for that ultimate and unbounded encounter when the Word who has “pitched his tent” will allow us to take up an eternal dwelling place where he lives, moves and has his being.

Advent hope longs for communion with the Father, who has explicitly spoken the only Word by which we are healed.

We have only to surrender.

Reflection based on Matthew 8:5-11
Father Gary C. Caster

Loving Father, fill my life with healing where I need you most.