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Friday, December 23
Saturday of the Third Week of Advent

Recognizing Greatness

The Gospel today tells us that all those who heard about John the Baptist’s birth (and his father’s transformation when it came time to name him) wondered at the story and asked what this child would become, “For surely the hand of the Lord was with him.” They understood that the Lord was working through this small child and his family; they perceived their God through the signs he placed in the world. The Lord had shown great mercy to John’s aged, barren mother. He had silenced Zechariah for doubting. And then the Lord freed Zechariah’s tongue for recognizing his greatness. God gave clear signs to his people that this was someone they needed to watch. Truly this is the great invitation that John’s birth signals – an invitation to recognize the Lord through his signs, and to gaze attentively at what his hand has wrought. John is a perpetual, continual, sign for each of us.

Reflection based on Luke 1:57-66
Rebecca Vitz Cherico

Loving Father, you fill my life with signs so that I might live with certainty before your Presence. Make me more sensitive to your every grace.