Gospel: December 23, 2023

(Saturday)

3rd Week in Advent

Psalter: Week 3 / (Violet/White)

St. John of Kanty, priest

Responsorial Psalm: Ps 25: 4-5ab, 8-9, 10 & 14

Lift up your heads and see; your redemption is near at hand.

1st Reading: Malachi 3: 1-4, 23-25Gospel: Luke 1: 57-66When 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.

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Reflection:“Elizabeth found her courage.”

It’s easy to overlook the courage of Elizabeth and Zechariah. Their courage begins long before their appearance in the Gospel. Luke tells us that they were faithful Jews, obedient to the Lord’s commandments all their lives. That fidelity was a sign of their courage since their childlessness would have been seen by their community as a sign of God’s disfavor. Despite this perception, Elizabeth and Zechariah continue to obey the Lord. They needed even more courage after the angel’s announcement. Elizabeth’s pregnancy at such an advanced age must have caused a lot of gossip. It’s no wonder she stayed home for the first five months!

But Elizabeth found her courage to greet Mary and affirm their miraculous pregnancies. When she gave birth to her son, Elizabeth courageously speaks up to her neighbors, giving her son his name against their objections, a decision confirmed by Zechariah who regains his voice to sing God’s praise.

No matter our age, we can draw strength from the example of these holy people. May we witness to our faith with the same courage.