Monday of the First Week of Advent
Reading 1: Isaiah 2:1-5
Psalm: Ps 122:1-2, 3-4, 4-5, 6-7, 8-9
Gospel: Matthew 8:5-11
“Lord, I am not worthy to have you enter under my roof; only say the word and my servant will be healed”
These words are the humblest way of expressing our deep love and trust in God. Most of us would feel that we don’t deserve to be loved by God because of the sins that we made. However, even if we have the greatest sin or made a terrible mistake, Jesus still forgives us and minds not our sins but only minds our hearts and hopes that in the end we would change.
I have experienced His love and He has forgiven me several times. During the times I had ignored Him and almost had not believed in His existence, He was there. There were even times that I almost insulted Him and blamed Him for everything, but He held on me and did not punish me; he was just there and showed me His undying love. Suddenly, I realized and said: “Lord, I am not worthy”, but His only respond was “LOVE”.
Maybe Jesus is telling us that if He can easily forgives and loves, then why can’t we? Jesus visits the sinners and stays with them for some time; he even eats with them and even heals them, just like what he does with the centurion in the gospel. Despite his sins and guilt, Jesus forgives, loves, and heals him. By showing this humble act, we, too, are invited to do the same with those who have sinned against us, no matter how painful it is. If we only have faith, and if we only believe, Jesus would always understand, forgive, love and heal.
PAUL VINCENT S. MIOLE
Campus Minister
