Daily Gospel Reflection for December 23, 2024

Join us as we reflect, ponder, and pray together inspired by today's Gospel.

Today's Gospel: Luke 1:57-66

Have you ever, somewhere in the core of your heart, known what you were supposed to do, but you just didn’t want to do it? Then instead of admitting that you didn’t want to do the right thing, you just told yourself and everyone who would listen that you were stuck? Confused? Discerning?

There have been way too many times when I told everyone that “God feels so far away right now,” but really it was because He was clearly and patiently telling me things I did not want to hear. I imagine that Zechariah can probably relate to that. When Zechariah heard the angel’s message that God was going to give him a son, his response was mistrust: “How will I know you’re not lying to me?”

This stands in contrast to Mary’s response at the Annunciation. “What is going to happen?” is a question laden with both humility and trust: I don’t know what is going to happen, but I trust that God will take care of it.

God is so patient with us, even when we react with arrogance and doubt to His generous call. He gave Zechariah nine months to stay so stuck that he was actually unable to speak. Those nine months gave Zechariah the time and space God knew he needed to learn the kind of trust and humility it would take to carry out his part in God’s plan to announce salvation to all the world and all ages to come.

It takes a lot of humility, trust, and strength to make that kind of announcement. God gave Zechariah time to be stuck, confused, and discerning, so that when the time came to speak, he could do so with the conviction and courage he once had lacked.

Ponder:

Where in my life am I afraid to follow where God is leading me, and am I being honest with myself and others about that fear?

Pray:

God, You know when I know Your word but am afraid to follow it. In my times of hesitancy, show me that You give exactly what I need to get unstuck and speak Your word again.

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