Saturday of the Third Week of Advent

“When the time arrived for Elizabeth to have her child she gave birth to a son. Her neighbors and relatives heard that the Lord had shown his great mercy toward her, and they rejoiced with her. When they came on the eighth day to circumcise the child, they were going to call him Zechariah after his father, but his mother said in reply, "No. He will be called John." But they answered her, "There is no one among your relatives who has this name." So they made signs, asking his father what he wished him to be called. He asked for a tablet and wrote, "John is his name," and all were amazed. Immediately his mouth was opened, his tongue freed, and he spoke blessing God.” -Luke 1:57-64

What trials and tribulations in your life is God using to hone you? In what fire of suffering is he forging you? Like He was for Zechariah, God is with you also, in your affliction, working to change your heart. What a gift suffering is, for in its silence, we are given the chance to hear our Lord speak and the opportunity to feel His embrace.

I’ve been told that sometimes it seems I’m not always here, that I am somewhere else, lost in thought. I wonder if Zechariah’s silence resulted similarly from his deep pondering of Gabriel's message. Perhaps when Elizabeth repeated the name the Angel gave, understanding finally arrived for Zechariah, breaking him out of his silence. Praise and blessings to God flow from his mouth in the joy of finally understanding.

In these final days of Advent, there is still time to meditate silently on how the Lord is working to change your heart. Know that He has a plan for your salvation, and let praise and blessings to God joyfully flow from you.

Saint Victoria, pray for us.

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Jesus, I trust in you!