Homily: Thursday of the Fourth Week of Advent
Thursday of the Fourth Week of Advent (Lk:1: 57-66) “Be Careful What You Ask For.”
“His name shall be John.” With these words Elizabeth names her son. If we remember what happened, earlier in the story, we recall how Elizabeth’s husband Zechariah questioned the Angel Gabriel and wondered how he and Elizabeth could have a child in their old age. After that question he was struck mute (Lk: 1-18-ff).
We could perceive this as a punishment from God but maybe it was an opportunity. Zechariah had nine months to contemplate what was going on in his life. He was able to listen to God. At the end of that long silence, he seems to understand that his son was a great gift.
Zechariah might be an example for all of us as to how we approach prayer. Zechariah and Elizabeth had been praying for years for a child. To be barren was considered a great embarrassment. Perhaps it was even interpreted as a punishment from God for sinfulness. This seems like a strange idea for us, but this is how religious people might have viewed Elizabeth and Zechariah’s inability to have a child.
Zechariah and Elizabeth’s prayer was answered, but Zechariah was unhappy. God did not work on the timetable that Zechariah had planned on so instead of being happy he was disappointed. Perhaps he did not want to have an infant when he was old enough to be a grandfather.
How often are our prayers answered in a way that we are not expecting. Maybe we have even forgot that we asked. Then a prayer is answered. God does not work on our schedule. We might say, “Be careful what you ask for?” God may give us what we want, but the way we are answered can be a surprise.
Zechariah, in the end, agreed to name his son John which means God is gracious. He had come to see after nine months without a voice that God can do great things for us. For this we can give thanks.
Reflection Questions:
- Am I impatient with God when I pray? Is God’s time our time?
- Do I see graciousness in my life? How and in what ways?
Dear Parishioners,
Remember that there will be no four o’clock Mass on Christmas afternoon or on New Year’s afternoon. I would imagine that most of us will be trying to rest after a night of celebrating. I recognize that a lot of our ministers would like to be free to visit with family and friends on a holiday.
Tonight, we will have one last opportunity for people to celebrate the Sacrament of Reconciliation. We will have confessions from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. Please make use of this opportunity. The front door and East side door church will be open.
May Our Lady and All the Angels and Saints watch over you today.
Fr. Mark