Fourth Sunday of Advent Yr B
- northernlightparish
- Dec 24, 2017
- 1 min read
Fourth Sunday of Advent Yr B
24 Dec 2017
Homily
Today’s Gospel takes place immediately after John the Baptist’s father, Zechariah, regained the ability to speak. Have you ever wondered what it would have been like to be silent for nine months, unable to participate in your ordinary life?
There are, of course, many people in our society who are voiceless. This is not because they are mute, but because others silence them – or they feel that they have nothing to contribute. Either is dangerous, because to be excluded from having one’s voice heard is a real form of oppression, an extremely dangerous form. It denies the humanity of the person silenced.
You do not have to look far to find examples of this in our world.
On the other hand, being silent can also be a gift, if one uses it well. I always find silent Retreats wonderful, although being alone with God can sometimes be disconcerting and challenging!
Did Zechariah take his time of silence as an opportunity to reflect? To stand back and look at things while he had time, being free of his usual duties?
His words that we have heard would seem to indicate that he did reflect upon his situation and on what God’s message to him meant.
Have you ever taken the opportunity to be silent?
You might be surprised at what happens.
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