Homily for Tuesday of the 4th Week of Advent

Zechariah’s canticle is rooted in the belief that God’s promises are fulfilled. When Zechariah expressed doubts about his faith, he was rendered mute until the day the promised event occurred. Eight days after the birth of John, Zechariah and Elizabeth, following the ritual commanded to Abraham, took him for circumcision. When it came time to name the child, Elizabeth insisted he be named John, as God had commanded. Those present turned to Zechariah, who confirmed the name, and immediately, he regained his speech and began praising God, who always fulfills His promises.

This Christmas Eve, Zechariah’s canticle can resonate with us as we pray for a deeper personal awareness of God in our lives. We see the light on the horizon and wait in hope for it to become the full, dazzling light of God’s incarnation in Jesus Christ. 

We live in a space between what has passed and what is yet to come. A light has dawned, but it has yet to fully illuminate the darkness within and around us. As disciples of Jesus, we acknowledge that the divine light has entered our world, yet we still await its full radiance. We may even doubt that such a glorious future is possible. However, like Zechariah, we can look up at the dawn and catch a glimpse of the first twinkling light that represents the glory God has in store for His people.