Daily Gospel Reflection
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December 19, 2024
In the days of Herod, King of Judea,
there was a priest named Zechariah
of the priestly division of Abijah;
his wife was from the daughters of Aaron,
and her name was Elizabeth.
Both were righteous in the eyes of God,
observing all the commandments
and ordinances of the Lord blamelessly.
But they had no child, because Elizabeth was barren
and both were advanced in years.
In today’s reading, the angel Gabriel announces the birth of John the Baptist to Zechariah. During previous encounters with this Scripture passage, my attention has been largely focused on the miraculous conception and birth of John the Baptist to his elderly and formerly barren parents. Today, however, my attention is focused on what Elizabeth did upon conceiving: “She went into seclusion for five months.”
Elizabeth’s time of seclusion may have been similar to what we may experience if we have had the opportunity to attend a retreat. Far from trying to escape God’s plan for her life, Elizabeth likely went into seclusion to adhere to Jewish custom and to reflect upon the amazing miracle God had designed for her.
Taking time to remove ourselves from the normal distractions of our everyday lives helps us appreciate God’s goodness more fully, provides time to enter into prayer more deeply, and creates time and space to listen more carefully to what God may be trying to say to us.
This verse caught my attention because today, I begin serving on the support team for a group of 45 men entering into a three-day retreat. During the retreat, these men will be able to give God the gift of their more present selves, just as Elizabeth likely did during her seclusion.
During this busy season leading up to Christmas, we may not have the opportunity to attend a retreat, much less go into seclusion for five months; however, we can retreat for a few blessed minutes of stillness each day; to quietly be alone with God as we prepare for the birth of our Lord.
Prayer
Lord, the infant in Elizabeth’s womb leaped for joy when you drew near in the womb of your mother Mary. “Blessed are you,” Elizabeth said to Mary, “and blessed is the fruit of your womb.” Help us to experience the same kind of joy, Lord, as we welcome you each day into our lives. Amen.
Saint of the Day
Sts. Nemesius and Isidore were martyrs who gave their lives for their faith in ancient Alexandria.
Around the year 250, an Egyptian named Nemesius was arrested in Alexandria for theft. In the course of his trial, it was discovered that he was a Christian, a crime punishable by death under the imperial persecution. He confessed his faith, and was imprisoned with a number of thieves. Nemesius was whipped and beaten twice as severely as the others.
After their beating, Nemesius and the other criminals were killed by being burned. Tradition honors him for dying among thieves, just as Jesus did.
Four other Christians were also arrested in that persecution. Among them were a man named Isidore and a boy who was 15 years old. The judge tried to convince the boy to denounce his faith, and then had him tortured with Isidore and his friends. When they remained firm, Isidore and his friends were killed by being burned, but the boy was turned loose.
The feast day of St. Isidore and his companions is Dec. 14, and St. Nemesius is remembered today. The relics of Sts. Nemesius and Isidore rest in the reliquary chapel in the Basilica, and this image of St. Nemesius is used with permission from Catholic.org.
Sts. Nemesius and Isidore, you were treated worse than criminals and died for your faith, pray for us!
Image Credit: Our featured image of Sts. Nemesius and Isidore is in the public domain. Last accessed November 1, 2024 on Wikimedia Commons.
