19 December 2023 - Only By Grace Reflections

TOPIC: HOW LONG CAN YOU WAIT AND TRUST IN THE LORD FOR THE THINGS YOU ARE PRAYING FOR?

First Reading: Judges 13: 2-7, 24-25a
Responsorial Psalm: Psalms 71: 3-4a, 5-6ab, 16-17
Gospel: Luke 1: 5-25

Upon the announcement of angel Gabriel, Zechariah somewhat doubted and questioned how his wife could have been pregnant since he is already old and his wife Elizabeth is already advanced in years.

Zechariah’s posture and response could have been the same with many, if not most of us who are in the same situation, considering our capacities, limitations, and challenging situations in life. Many of us don’t want, or at least find it hard, to wait on the Lord. Sometimes even in our prayers, we also experience the challenge of trusting and waiting for the Lord to answer our prayers. That is why there are times when even the things that we are praying for are already happening, we ourselves find it incredulous. These are the times when in waiting, we tend to lose sight of what God can still do, but instead, we think of what we cannot do or what cannot happen anymore!

But the words of St. Elizabeth herself in the gospel today remind us of God’s faithfulness when she said, “So has the Lord done for me at a time when he has seen fit to take away my disgrace before others.” This reminds us that indeed, God is faithful, in His own perfect way and in his own perfect time, we just have to trust and wait as He fulfills His plans and promises in our lives.

This is the 1334th installment of our CFC contemplation series focusing on the daily liturgical readings.

[NOTE: As we continue to pray for Bro Bong Arjonillo’s healing and recovery, let us listen to our brother Lawrence Quintero, a member of the CFC International Council, as he brings us today's