Friday, December 16, 2011

12/19/2011 –homily - Monday – fourth week of Advent – Psalm 71: 3-6, 16-17 , Luke 1:5-25


         Today's readings give us a lot to think about as we continue our preparations during this Advent season with Christmas less than a week away.  The psalmist prays today, “Lord, be my rock of refuge, a stronghold to give me safety, for you are my rock and my fortress. O my God, rescue me from the hand of the wicked.” As we prepare our hearts for the birth of Christ into our world, from what do we need to be rescued, from what do we need safety?  Are we so caught up in the busy whirlwind of the holiday season, in the materialism of our culture, so much so that the stillness and solitude that we can find in our relationship with God may be missing in our lives?  Is the message of hope & salvation that we find in the birth of our Lord so detached from the reality of our daily lives?
         Then we hear about Zechariah's encounter with the Angel Gabriel, about his questioning of Gabriel's announcement regarding the impending birth of Zechariah's son, John the Baptist.  Although he was a holy priest who blamelessly followed God's law, Zechariah  was made silent in order to ponder and reflect upon what the angel had told him.  Today's Gospel concludes with Elizabeth rejoicing at how the Lord has taken away the humiliation she had suffered for having been barren for so many years.  What are those things we need to ponder in our lives?  Is there any barrenness in our life of faith that is in need of God's redemption & grace?
         As we enter the final week of Advent in our preparation for Jesus' birth into our world, may our hearts be filled with joy & gladness, may we find refuge in the Lord & hear his voice crying out to us in the darkness.  

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