Readings
Isaiah 25:6-10
Matthew 15:29-37
Reflection
In today’s Gospel, we witness Jesus’ compassion and healing power as He cures the maimed, the blind, the mute, and many others. These people come to Him in their brokenness, and He restores them, feeding not just their bodies but their spirits as well.
For centuries, this story has been shared within the Christian community, often in the context of the Eucharist. Those early believers, like us, recognised themselves in the crowd. They knew what it meant to be spiritually blind, deaf to God’s call, or wounded by the trials of life. As we hear this story, we, too, can see ourselves among them, needing healing, nourishment, and hope.
Advent is a season of waiting, longing for the fullness of Christ’s redemption. This Gospel reminds us that Jesus meets us in our weakness. He doesn’t turn away from our wounds; instead, He invites us to bring them to Him. Just as He fed the crowd with loaves and fishes, He nourishes us in the Eucharist, uniting us with our ancestors in faith and drawing us closer to the wholeness we seek.
May this story inspire us to approach Jesus with trust, knowing His compassion is boundless and His healing is for all who come to Him with open hearts.
Giltus Mathias CP, Parish Priest, St Brigid, Marrickville.