16 / 85
Saturday of the First Week of Advent
Isaiah 30:19-21, 23-26
Psalm 147:1-2, 3-4, 5-6
Matthew 9:35-10:1, 5A, 6-8
Summary
The season of Advent that began last Sunday is a time of preparation and prom-
ise.We are reminded that we know neither the time nor the place that we will
encounter the Lord. Consequently, we need to be prepared.We are also remind-
ed that the Lord our God has promised to provide for our every need.The first
reading reminds us of the promises the Lord made through Isaiah:“The Lord will
give you the bread you need and the water for which you thirst.” The Lord God
is the first giver of all gifts. In Matthew’s gospel Jesus instructs the Twelve to go
out to the community to also be givers of gifts – to the troubled and aban-
doned, to the sick and hurting.
Reflection
The preparations for Christmas have begun! For children, these weeks of Advent
can seem like an eternity.They have prepared their lists and may have already
visited Santa Claus in the mall to plead their case.Today, the feast of St. Nicholas,
is an ideal time to share with our children – and to remind ourselves – of the
story of St. Nick. The true story of Santa Claus begins with Nicholas, who was
born during the third century. His wealthy parents, who raised him to be a de-
vout Christian, died in an epidemic while Nicholas was still young. Obeying Je-
sus' words to "sell what you own and give the money to the poor," Nicholas
used his whole inheritance to assist the needy, the sick, and the suffering.The gift
he was given, he gave as a gift.
Giving without expecting anything in return is what our God is all about. Indi-
viduals like St. Nicholas – hence Santa Claus – provide an example for us to imi-
tate. Isaiah tells us that the Lord God gives the gift of rain for the seed that we
sow in the ground.That seed produces wheat that is rich and abundant. In other
words, God gives us the gift enabling our effort to bear fruit, but we have the
responsibility to put in the effort and do our
part. God gives the rain, but we have to prepare
the ground, sow the seed and cultivate what the
seed will produce.
In the gospel we hear that Jesus was moved with
pity at the sight of the crowds as he went