Friday of the Second Week of Advent
Today’s Reflection
Gospel: Mt 11: 16-19
December 15, 2023 | Friday
Now, to what can I compare the people of this day? They are like children sitting in the marketplace, about whom their companions complain:‘We played the flute for you, but you would not dance. We sang a funeral song, but you would not cry!’
For John came fasting, and people said, ‘He is possessed by a demon!’Then, the Son of Man came. He ate and drank; and people said, ‘Look at this man:a glutton and drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!’Yet, wisdom is vindicated by her works.”
The CBCP has also approved to permanently assign to December 16 the readings for Friday of the Third Week of Advent: Is 56: 1-3, 6-8 and Jn 5: 33-36. On the other hand, the Ordo says that “in the spirit of the season, one may lawfully use in these Masses the Weekday Lectionary” (Roman Missal, General Guidelines 328).
Today’s Reflection:.
Jesus did not only eat and drink with sinners and tax collectors, He also called them to repentance and conversion. Just remember the woman caught in adultery. Jesus did not condemn her but He commanded her not to sin anymore. He called Matthew the tax collector to be His apostle and the latter immediately left his customs post. He went to the house of Zaccheus and the tax collector who was short in stature promised to repay fourfold those whom he has cheated. Jesus did not associate Himself with sinners just for the sake of drinking and eating with them. It is clear that He did not condone their sins. Instead, He wanted to be near them so that he may guide them to repentance and reconcile them back to God. Indeed, it is true that God meets us where we are. He always makes the first move to meet us but it doesn’t end there. God also invites us to where He is, to be with Him and to enjoy a blessed life with Him. This Advent season, think about God’s invitation to return to Him. It is up to us to accept it or not. / Vulnerasti, 2023
