Silent God an Opportunity - Fr. Ernesto - January 1, 2023

Today in the Orthodox Church, we celebrate the Circumcision of Our Lord and Saint Basil the Great. The Gospel reading comes to us from Luke. It begins with the shepherds praising God, the circumcision, and the naming of Jesus. Next, it skips to a twelve-year-old, seen as an adult Jesus speaking, asking questions, and astonishing those in the temple. Luke tells us that Jesus then increased in wisdom and stature and favor with God and man. There is silence from God about Jesus' life until the age of thirty. Father Ernesto shares in his message God's silence is an opportunity for spiritual growth. After Baptism, we learn to stand alone, knowing that God has not deserted us, awaiting His touch and our maturity.