Daily Scripture, December 23, 2024
Scripture:
Malachi 3:1-4, 23-24
Luke 1:57-66
Reflection:
I am writing this reflection on December 19, when our Gospel reading is the appearance of the angel Gabriel to Zechariah, and the angel tells him that Elizabeth, his wife, will conceive and bear a child in answer to their prayers. Because Zechariah asks a question, the angel takes it as evidence of disbelief and renders Zechariah mute.
In today’s Gospel reading, Elizabeth has conceived, and the child is born. When the relatives come to the circumcision of the baby, they plan to name him after his father. But Elizabeth tells them he will be named John. The relatives do not understand this and ask Zechariah. When he writes affirming what Elizabeth says, his mouth is opened, and he praises God.
I find myself wondering about this. I’m not so sure I would be praising God after so long a punishment. But then, I thought, what if Zechariah really doubted the angel’s words, and then saw that it all had happened as he was told it would. Would he not simply praise God for all that God had done?
We may have doubts, and it may be hard at times to see God working in our lives, but God does so, even when we can’t feel anything. And so, like Zechariah, we ultimately come to simply praising God. When the relatives witness Zechariah being able to speak and praising God, they wonder about this baby who was born only eight days prior: “What, then, will this child be?” And Luke concludes: “For surely the hand of God was with him.”
It may not always seem so, but the hand of God is with us. We can enter into the celebration of Christmas with our questions and our hurts and our wondering. But God is with us through it all, and Jesus’ birth reminds us of God’s love and power and faithfulness. Blessed be God!
Fr. Phil Paxton, C.P., is the local superior of the Passionist Community in Birmingham, Alabama.
Scripture: Ephesians 2:19-22 Luke 6:12-16 Reflection: Today we celebrate the feast day of SS Simon and Jude. These two men, along with the other Apostles were simple men. They did » Continue Reading.
Scripture: Ephesians 4:32-5:8 Luke 13:10-17 Reflection: "Hypocrites!" This is certainly not a label that any of us would dare lay claim to. The evil of hypocrisy is a popular theme » Continue Reading.
Scripture: Exodus 22:20-26 1 Thessalonians 1:5c-10 Matthew 22:34-40 Reflection: Our Sunday readings invite us to the core of our call as Christians-a core firmly rooted in our Jewish heritage. The » Continue Reading.
Scripture: Ephesians 4:1-6 Luke 12:54-59 Reflection: If one were to write a reflection on what things bothered Jesus the most when he preached, you would have to mention his deep » Continue Reading.
Scripture: Ephesians 3:14-21 Luke 12:49-53 Reflection: In today’s Gospel reading from Luke, Jesus says some startling words: "Do you think that I have come to establish peace on the earth? » Continue Reading.
Scripture: Ephesians 3:2-12 Luke 12:39-48 Reflection: "God indeed is my savior; I am confident and unafraid. My strength and my courage is the LORD, and he has been my savior. » Continue Reading.
Scripture: Ephesians 6:1-9 Luke 13:22-30 Reflection: Geography is important to the Gospel writer Luke. Notice in this passage that Jesus is making his way down through towns and villages to » Continue Reading.
Memorial of St. Ignatius of Antioch, bishop and martyr Readings: Eph 1:11-14 Lk 12:1-7 Reflection: Being a Christian is not for the faint of heart. Although our contemporary » Continue Reading.
Feast of St. Paul of the Cross, Founder of the Passionists. Scripture: Ephesians 2:1-10 Luke 12:35-38 Reflection: St. Paul of the Cross, Founder of the Passionists, was born in 1694 » Continue Reading.
Scripture: Wisdom 3:1-9 Romans 5:5-11 John 6:37-40 Reflection: Today’s feast of All Souls summons powerful waves of memory for each of us and recalls the richness found in human relationships. » Continue Reading.