Friday of the Fourth Week of Advent
Today’s Reflection
Gospel: Lk 1: 57-66
December 23, 2022 | Friday
When the time came for Elizabeth, she gave birth to a son. Her neighbors and relatives heard that the merciful Lord had done a wonderful thing for her, and they rejoiced with her.
When, on the eighth day, they came to attend the circumcision of the child, they wanted to name him Zechariah after his father. But his mother said, “Not so; he shall be called John.” They said to her, “But no one in your family has that name!” and they made signs to his father for the name he wanted to give him. Zechariah asked for a writing tablet, and wrote on it, “His name is John;” and they were very surprised. Immediately, Zechariah could speak again, and his first words were in praise of God.
A holy fear came on all in the neighborhood, and throughout the hill country of Judea the people talked about these events. All who heard of it, pondered in their minds, and wondered, “What will this child be?” For they understood that the hand of the Lord was with him.
Today’s Reflection:
A part of our Gospel passage today functions as an interrogative sentence that concerns the destiny of John the Baptist: “What, then, will this child become?” The question is immediately followed by a statement of faith: “For, indeed, the hand of the Lord was with him” (v. 66). This particular verse serves as a reminder that only God can give us the exact answer regarding our fate. God is with us; He is for us; and He has a plan for us. In this regard, there is no room to worry about anything; it is God’s business to direct our lives. We simply have to allow Him to guide and direct us, even when the path that He wants us to follow does not match our personal plans. The case of John the Baptist should strengthen our faith in Him. /Vulnerasti, 2022
