My mom has always told me “God’s delay is not God’s denial”. The readings today reminded me of her and I thought about how true that saying is in our daily lives but especially during Advent.
Today in the readings we hear of God’s promises to Monoah and his wife and to Zechariah and Elizabeth that, despite their old age, they will conceive and bear a son. He tells the future parents that their sons will be “consecrated to God from the womb” and “great in the sight of the Lord”. Samson will be the one to begin the deliverance of Israel; John the one who turns the minds and hearts of the people of Israel to the Lord their God. Both men pave the path for the birth of Christ and anticipate His coming to deliver us from our sins.
In the time of Zechariah and Elizabeth, children were a sign of God’s faithfulness. Because they did not have children, Zechariah and Elizabeth were thought to be out of favor with God. When the angel appeared to Zechariah to tell him that Elizabeth would bear a son, he did not believe the angel. Because of his disbelief, Zechariah was mute until immediately after the birth of John. Israel was waiting for the Messiah; Zechariah and Elizabeth for a son. God showed his faithfulness to them in His own timing with a son who would help prepare Israel for the coming of the Messiah.
Zechariah’s consequence for his disbelief as well as his joyfulness at the birth of his son teaches us the joy that comes about when we allow God to do His Will in our lives. Advent is all about waiting, in prayerful hope, for the birth of Christ, his Resurrection, and our eventual unity with Him in Heaven. In the same way, Israel awaited their deliverance and John and Elizabeth awaited the birth of their son, in this beautiful season of hopeful anticipation may we put our faith in the Lord, trust His timing, and surrender to His Will. May our hearts be filled with joy and hope this Advent!
Dakota currently lives in Denver, CO, is studying for her Master’s in Spanish, and loves her job as an elementary school librarian. She is engaged to the love of her life, Ralph. In her spare time she reads, goes to breweries, and watches baseball. Dakota’s favorite saints are St. John Paul II (how could it not be?) and St. José Luis Sánchez del Río. She is passionate about her faith and considers herself blessed at any opportunity to share that faith with others.
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