1st Week of Advent (A) : Saturday 7th December 2019

The images of the ‘Shepherd sheep’ and the ‘harvest’ reflect the discipleship of Jesus which involves mission. Jesus had deep compassion for the people because they were like sheep without a shepherd. Just as Jesus wanted His disciples to follow Him in His Mission of mercy, we too are called to bring the Good News to the poor, the helpless, the voiceless and the outcast in society.

Jesus also talked about the need to pray the Lord of the harvest to send labourers into his harvest. Here we see how prayer plays an important role in all missionary endeavours.

The Twelve were commissioned to preach the Kingdom of God (Mt 10:7) which includes healing the sick, raising the dead and casting out devils. Jesus also emphasised the radical poverty and complete detachment that we are to live out as in “receive without charge, give without charge.”  This involves availability and generosity of heart – the joys of a missionary disciple.

In the First reading, we see how “on every lofty mountain or every high hill, there will be streams and watercourses; the moonlight will be bright as sunlight and the sunlight… And on the day the Lord dresses the wound of his people and heals the bruises (Is. 30:26).” This is the consolation we have been promised as in Prophet Isaiah and Jesus’ coming.

“Lord, grant us  Your missionary spirit so that we become Your true disciples in mission.”