Homily: Feast of the Nativity of John the Baptist
Feast of the Nativity of John the Baptist
“Please, but not now.” Have we ever prayed in this way? Sometimes we want our prayers answered and when they are answered, we are not ready for the answer we receive. We need to be careful with our expectations.
I once knew a priest who was part of a monastery. He had been away from the monastery for many years doing a variety of ministries. He longed to return to his community. He prayed fervently that he might be able to go home to the monastery.
One day, he received the news that he had cancer. He was told that he had to go back to his abbey and receive treatment at the hospital nearby. He could not expect to take care of himself. Fortunately, he recovered, but the punch line of his story was, “be careful what you pray for”.
I would imagine Zechariah and Elizabeth had prayed for a baby their whole life. In Biblical times to be unable to have a child was a shameful thing. People might surmise that the couple who could not have a child had done something to offend God. Zechariah and Elizbeth had probably resigned themselves to the fact they would never have children.
But then God answered their prayer. Zechariah seemed to say, “Thank you God, but no thanks.” He had to be imaging walking the floor in the middle of the night with his newborn. Maybe he was thinking I will never live long enough to help this boy become a man. Zachariah certainly was not thinking the way God was thinking.
God is full of surprises. Zachariah probably got all the help he needed from friends and relatives to raise his child. John the Baptist turned into a special young man. In the end, God’s purposes were fulfilled. God answered Zachariah’s prayers in ways he could never have imagined.
- Have you ever had a prayer answered in a way you did not expect? What happened and how do you feel about it today?
- How should we ask God for something? When we pray, should we get specific, or should our prayer be more open ended?
Dear Parishioners,
It is a daunting task to try to get our parish running on all cylinders again. During the pandemic we have not been able to have social events because of limitations on crowds, but now that those limits have been lifted, we would like to have a few activities to help build community.
This Friday night we will be showing a movie in the parking lot behind Seton School. The title of the film is Wonder. We will gather in the parking lot behind the grade school at about 8 p.m. Bring your own chairs and snacks. We will provide popcorn. Let us enjoy being without masks and enjoy each other’s company. We truly have reason to celebrate. We will gather in Fellowship Hall to watch the movie if the weather is not cooperating.
May Our Lady and all the Angels and Saints watch over us today.
Fr. Mark