First Reading: Malachi 3:1-4, 23-24
Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 25
Gospel: Luke 1:57-66
Many times when we tell people that we are going to do something that is counter cultural, we get puzzled looks and lots of questions. For example, the parents who choose not let their son or daughter have a cell phone at the age of 12; or a family who chooses to give the little extra money they have to their favorite charity instead of owning the same things as everyone else on the block, may be looked at questionably by family and friends. Elizabeth and John got similar reactions in today's gospel reading. They knew that the Lord had given them this new beautiful child and that He had a plan for him. They also knew that his name was to be John, as the Lord had said, but to everyone around them this made no sense. "Why John," they asked, "No one else in your family has this name, it just doesn't make sense?" When Zechariah wrote down that the child's name would be John, he then immediately was given his speech back, and he then praised God! God's plan did not make sense to the rest of the people, but Zechariah and Elizabeth knew what they needed to do, and they knew what was right.
Zechariah and Elizabeth were willing to go along with God's plan, even though it did not make sense to those around them, and may not of even made sense to them. But they continued to follow God, no matter what everyone else around them thought and said. They show us that it is not just important to say yes to God's plan for our lives, but we need to follow Him too. I pray that we are all granted to courage to follow God even when questioned and pressured by the rest of the world.
Father above, we thank you for the gift of this day. We thank you and give you praise for all the many gifts in our lives. Lord, as we prepare for you this Christmas, help us to have the courage to follow you no matter where you lead. Lord, we thank you for you love and mercy, and we pray for all those seeking you in their lives. Amen.
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