A Homily for Friday of the Third Week of Advent
Friday, December 19, 2025
Prince of Peace Catholic Church – 8:00 Mass
Judges 13:2-7, 24-25a; Psalm 71:3-4a, 5-6ab, 16-17; Luke 1:5-25
Audio Recording
As we near the end of Advent, today’s Gospel invites us to reflect not just on what God says, but how we respond when He speaks.
In today’s gospel we hear about Zechariah, a righteous and faithful priest. Scripture tells us he and Elizabeth were blameless in observing God’s law. And yet, when the angel Gabriel appears to him in the Temple and announces the birth of a son, Zechariah hesitates. He asks, “How shall I know this?” His question comes from doubt. He looks at his age, at what seems impossible, and asks for proof. I suspect many of us would have had the same reaction to this news, right?
Compare that with the Blessed Virgin Mary. She, too, asks a question at the Annunciation: “How can this be?” But her question is entirely different. Mary does not doubt that God can act. She asks only how she is to cooperate with His will. Her question is rooted in faith seeking understanding. Zechariah’s question, though understandable, is rooted in hesitation seeking reassurance.
Because of this, Zechariah is struck silent — not as a punishment meant to harm him, but as a loving correction meant to deepen his faith. God still includes him in His saving plan. And when Zechariah finally speaks again, his words overflow in praise. His silence became the path to trust.
Most of us, if we are honest, are more like Zechariah than Mary. We believe, but we struggle. We want clarity, guarantees, and control. Advent teaches us that God often speaks into circumstances that feel inconvenient, uncertain, or even impossible—and invites us to trust Him anyway.
So how do we live this out in daily life?
First, pause before pushing back. When something unexpected happens, notice your first reaction. Instead of asking, “Why is this happening?” try asking, “Lord, how are You asking me to respond?” That shift moves us from doubt toward trust.
Second, pray before you problem-solve. Zechariah immediately focused on obstacles. We often do the same. Before trying to fix or explain a situation, offer a brief prayer: “Lord, I trust You are already at work. Show me my part in this situation.”
Third, accept consequences without defensiveness. When our choices lead to difficulty or correction, resist the urge to justify or blame. This particularly resonates with me…just ask my loving wife how I struggle with this. Like Zechariah’s silence, these moments can become places of growth if we allow God to teach us through them.
Fourth, practice obedience in small things. Mary’s great “yes” was lived out in ordinary faithfulness. Each day offers small opportunities—to forgive, to pray when we feel dry, to serve when it’s inconvenient. Big faith grows through small yeses.
Fifth, embrace moments of silence. Zechariah’s silence prepared his heart for praise. Build a little quiet into your day — turn off the music or the TV, sit quietly before bed, or pray without words. Silence helps us hear God more clearly.
Finally, end each day with a trust check. Ask yourself: Where did I trust God today? Where did I hesitate? What is it that I need to place back into His hands?
Dear friends in Christ, as Christmas approaches, may we learn from both Zechariah and Mary. God can work through our hesitation, but He delights in our trust. Let us ask for the grace to say, with Mary, “May it be done to me according to your word.”
God bless you.