Wednesday, December 20, 2017

Homily for 19 Dec 2017

19 Dec 2017

“There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the sun” (Eccl. 3:1).  We often hear that at funerals to express an acceptance that, in the end, everything happens in God’s time.

Now, in our readings today we hear about the mothers of Samson and John the Baptist, both of whom were called “barren.”  And, at the time, it was seen as a sign her not having been graced by God that a woman hadn’t borne children.  But, then again, everything happens in God’s time.  And so, perhaps it was too quick of a judgment to call the women “barren.”  God had something in store for them (and the whole world), and it eventually came to fruition…in God’s time.

As we wind down our season of Advent this year, and we reflect on our prayer, “Come, Lord Jesus, come,” it might be tempting to see that prayer as being unanswered.  For some of us, this is our seventieth or eightieth Advent.  When is the Lord going to come?  In his own time.  The challenge is to not judge prematurely and say, “The Lord isn’t coming.”

Of course, we can apply that same idea to so many of our prayers and hopes that seem to be…unanswered.  God answers prayers…but in his time, and in his way.  There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the sun.  And God is trustworthy.  So we shouldn’t ever give up hope.

Even if we’re tempted to call our life “barren,” or our hopes and prayers “forgotten,” we know they aren’t.  Everything happens in good time; everything happens in God’s time.  We needn’t be afraid or hopeless.

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