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: 1 Corinthians 8:1b-4, 11-13 Luke 6:27-38 Reflection: Our Gospel passage today continues Luke’s "Sermon on the Plain," as it is called in contrast to Mathew’s "Sermon on the Mount." » Continue Reading.
Scripture: 1 Corinthians 15:1-11 Luke 7:36-50 Reflection: Simon, the Pharisee, somehow missed the "menu" for the supper to which he invited Jesus. He stands watching Jesus who is reclining at » Continue Reading.
Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross Scripture: Numbers 21:4b-9 Philippians 2:6-11 John 3:13-17 Reflection: For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, » Continue Reading.
Scripture: 1 Corinthians 6:1-11 Luke 6:12-19 Reflection: This reading from the Gospel of Luke is filled with symbolism but also includes some unexpected challenges. The mountain in scripture has traditionally » Continue Reading.
Feast of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary Scripture: Micah 5:1-4a Matthew 1:1-16, 18-23 Reflection: We celebrate a Jubilee year dedicated to St. Paul the Apostle in our church. » Continue Reading.
Scripture: Ezekiel 33:7-9 Romans 13:8-10 Matthew 18:15-20 Reflection: Correction & Mending Hurts The gospels do not gloss over the human failings of the apostles. Jesus corrects and instructs them time » Continue Reading.
Scripture: 1 Corinthians 4:6b-15 Luke 6:1-5 Reflection: Paul warns the Corinthians not to "go beyond what was written." Sounds like a teacher instructing her young students not to color outside » Continue Reading.
Scripture: 1 Corinthians 4:1-5 Luke 5:33-39 Reflection: Would you ever consider cutting apart a section of a new jacket and using it as a patch on an old jacket? This » Continue Reading.
Scripture: 1 Corinthians 3:18-23 Luke 5:1-11 Reflection: A fish story! A faith story! What a gift for these days of Indian Summer, as we transition from summertime to the beauty » Continue Reading.
Feast of Saint Gregory the Great, pope and doctor of the Church Scripture: 1 Corinthians 3:1-9 Luke 4:38-44 Reflection: To take up the Cross means "I take responsibility." Today’s Word » Continue Reading.