Feast of St John Damascene, Priest and Doctor of the Church.
"When Jesus entered Capernaum, a centurion approached him and appealed to him, saying,
“Lord, my servant is lying at home paralyzed, suffering dreadfully.”
"He said to him, “I will come and cure him.”
The centurion said in reply, “Lord, I am not worthy to have you enter under my roof; only say the word and my servant will be healed. For I too am a man subject to authority, with soldiers subject to me. And I say to one, ‘Go,’ and he goes; and to another, ‘Come here,’ and he comes; and to my slave, ‘Do this,’ and he does it.”
"When Jesus heard this, he was amazed and said to those following him, “Amen, I say to you, in no one in Israel have I found such faith.
“I say to you, many will come from the east and the west, and will recline with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob at the banquet in the Kingdom of heaven.” (Matthew 8: 5 - 11).
Monday 4th December 2023, First Week of Advent is the feast of St John Damascene. (675 - 749). Religious Priest and Doctor of the Church.
John was born in Damascus. Before his ordination to the priesthood in 726, St John was the finance minister to the Caliph.
His work of life was mostly study and writing. He produced books in dogmatic theology. St John Damascene wrote a significant book on the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
But his defense of the use of images/icons is his definitive contribution to the Church. Without John Damascene, we may not be able to use these images/icons in worship or in our devotions. For example: Sacred Heart, Divine Mercy, Mary and the Saints, etc.
Thank You Jesus for making St John Damascene Hammer of Heretics.
Thank you St John Damascene.
Why does Jesus praise the faith of the Centurion?
Faith is one of the three theological virtues. The others are Hope and Charity. They are gifts of God. They are given to those who ask for them and are disposed to receive them.
Faith is a rare commodity and one of the greatest gifts of God. The opposite of faith is Unbelief and Doubt.
How does faith work? Jesus said for example to the Centurion: “I will come and cure him.” The Centurion heard this and believed. The faith of the Centurion is much deeper. He said to Jesus for example: 'No need to come to my house. Just heal my servant with a word said right here, right now.' Do you notice that there is humility and reverential fear in the Centurion? Reverential fear (gift of the Holy Spirit) is part of faith.
Faith comes from hearing and believing the promises of God. As you obey the Divine Word or Command your faith grows.
Here are 7 examples of Faith from the Gospels to reflect on this Advent:
1. The Blessed Virgin Mary at the Annunciation.
2. The shepherds at the Nativity.
3. The 3 Magi at the Hut of the Holy Family.
4. Simeon and Anna at the Presentation.
5. The Calling of Matthew and Zacchaeus.
6. The Good Thief at the Crucifixion.
7. The Roman Soldier at the Crucifixion.
What is the common factor in all these 7 cases?
They heard. They saw. They believe.
Happy Advent!
Mary was conceived without original sin. This grace and privilege are fitting in view of the birth and death of her Son Jesus Christ, who is the Second Person of the Blessed Trinity.
"O God, who by the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary, did prepare a worthy dwelling place for Your Son, we beseech You that, as by the foreseen death of this, Your Son, You did preserve Her from all stain, so too You would permit us, purified through Her intercession, to come unto You."
For the Immaculate Conception Devotions and Prayers and Prayer intentions click the link below:
http://seekfirst.blogspot.com/2023/11/novena-of-immaculate-conception.html?m=1
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