Hope in God’s Perfect Timing

December 19, 2024 Thursday of the Third Week of Advent
Daily Readings: Judges 13:2-7, 24-25a; Luke 1:5-25

We hear of two similar miracles in today’s readings—two women, who by human standards were unable to conceive, became pregnant. One thing that is very clear in these miracle stories is that they did not expect it to happen on the day it did, and they may have already stopped hoping.

Another similarity between the two miracles is that they were communicated to them by messengers. The woman in the first reading seemed to immediately believe the messenger, while Zechariah was troubled, and fear came upon him.

We, too, pray for miracles. Many of us have been praying for a miracle for so long now. While some continue to hope and wait, others may have stopped praying and hoping.

Today’s readings remind us that miracles do happen. But as to when and what, we do not know. We are reminded not to stop hoping. Hope keeps our faith alive. Without faith, we become troubled and fearful. This is what happened to Zechariah. He had stopped hoping that Elizabeth would ever bear a child. That’s why, instead of joyfully welcoming the good news brought by the angel, he was troubled, and fear came upon him. The woman in the first reading, on the other hand, was overjoyed and immediately shared the good news with her husband.

The Lord sends us messengers each day of our lives. Someone may remind us to go to Mass or confession, point out our mistakes, ask for help, or invite us to join or give to an outreach. These are all messengers bringing us the opportunity to allow miracles to happen in our lives. What miracles are these? A change of heart, a change of perspective, a conversion.

May we continue to wait and hope - not based on our own schedules and wish lists, but always in God’s perfect timing.

A Call to Action for Catholic Living: "Keep hoping and waiting in faith, trusting in God’s perfect timing for miracles in your life."