#firstweekofadvent

[mcquadetx]

December 4, 2023 Monday of the First Week of Advent

Matthew 8:5–11 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.” In today's Gospel, a Roman centurion approaches Jesus and tells him that his servant is lying at home paralyzed and suffering terribly. He admits that he is not worthy to have Jesus enter his home, but he believes that if Jesus simply says the word, his servant will be healed. To an outsider, this request may seem impossible, as the centurion is asking for a remote healing with just a word. However, the centurion has faith and trusts that Jesus can perform this miracle. Søren Kierkegaard once defined faith as "a passion for the impossible." This does not mean that God is opposed to reason or that he wants us to be unrealistic. Rather, he wants us to use our powers of imagination and analysis while also having faith in what reason cannot see. The centurion's faith was so strong that Jesus praised him, saying, "I have not found such faith in anyone in Israel."

(1) Christopher McQuade on X: "December 4, 2023 Monday of the First Week of Advent Matthew 8:5–11 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…" / X (twitter.com)

[timthurman]

#firstweekofadvent #hope #christmas (at Hollywood, California) https://www.instagram.com/p/Clq0FcBSLGJ/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[villa-anj]

On this first week of Advent I have this song lyric running through my head. "Tell me where your heart is. Tell me where you keep it. Tell me where it stays." 2020 has been heavy, its been scary, its been revolutionary. And it has been revealing all forms of hope. Hope for the actual betterment of humanity, the hope of a new US government, the hope of being able to hug and physically socialize with everyone. HOPE. Where does it live...in our hearts. But more importantly this 2020 advent, we are being asked to live in our hope- to see it become a reality. Blessings, hope, and peace to you all. #advent #firstweekofadvent #2020 #inthetimeofcorona #whereitstays #hope #love https://www.instagram.com/p/CIOtyLUAL4Ie5YsJrvRa1qxN9u55f9FaMN0S900/?igshid=14eaefjkiow00

[itsabeautifullife93]

Love sent hope through Emmanuel into the world, and intended that, learning from Emmanuel, we may partake and share of that glorious hope. #advent #firstweekofadvent #hope #adventwreath

[islandgirlgetsfitblog]

My heart is a little bit heavy & sad during those days in my life I look to God and put my TRUST in him. I won't give up for I know #myGod can change everything in a moment notice. I Have faith. God is a GREAT #advent #firstweekofadvent #godisworkingonitforme🙏🏽💎

[asthegirlturns]

Thank you, Candice! We have only known each other a short while, and you already nailed three of my favorite things in one gift--such a perceptive woman. This will taste even more awesome with a dirty addition! 😉 #firstweekofadvent #montrosechurch #lifegroup #tistheseason #christmastimeishere #christmasgifts (at Atwater Village, Los Angeles)

[asthegirlturns]

Enjoying ringing in the Season with The Elizabeth House alumni and staff. I even got a hug from Santa! #alliwantforchristmas #firstweekofadvent #elizabethhousealumni #holidaycheer #tistheseason #elizabethhouse @elizabeth_house (at Pasadena Covenant Church)

[asthegirlturns]

[ADVENT Week 1] "Advent: the time to listen for footsteps -- you can't hear footsteps when you're running yourself." -- Bill McKibben This first week of Advent has been about winding down and tuning in: to matters of the heart, which was the theme of my Yoga classes this week, complete with a visual tool thanks to Pastor Dave; to enjoying crunching in Fall leaves that now populate our backyard; to discovering my word as we delved into The Word with Pastor Cyndi;,to sweet gifts from two dear women who have supported, prayed, and cared for me this year. I am enjoying one of those gifts (freshly roasted and ground Brazilian Finca) as part of a crisp morning where I get to stay in my pajamas for a bit, cuddle with my fur babies, and fine tune my body, ears, and soul before boarding a jet plane to the South to finish the last module of my 300-hour advanced Yoga teacher training. Thankful for the first week of Advent gifts that I will take with me, and what the footsteps will bring in Advent Week 2. #yogalife #layogiinthesouth #300hourteachertraining #instacollage #christmastimeishere #christmasgifts #advent #montrosewomen #montrosechurch #findingtheword #firstweekofadvent #mcheartofchristmas (at Atwater Village, Los Angeles)