Seasons of Waiting - Weekday Homily Video

Some years ago, I visited a family I knew well in the parish right after their third child was born. The older two, aged four and six, were buzzing with excitement. The four-year-old daughter tugged at my sleeve and asked, “Father, how did the baby get in Mommy’s tummy?” 

Now, as you can imagine, the mother froze mid-diaper change. The father blinked, looked at me as if to say, You are the priest. You answer this one! But then the older child chimed in with great authority: “It’s okay. I already told her. God puts the baby in, and when it’s grown, the hospital gets it out.” And that was the end of the conversation to my consolation. 

Everything In God's Perfect Timing 

I share this story not just because it’s funny, but because it’s deeply familiar. Parents know there are questions children ask that require answers, but not necessarily right now, and certainly not all at once. 

And that’s exactly what Jesus models in today’s Gospel. He looks at His closest friends and says, “I have much more to say to you, more than you can now bear.” (John 16:12) He doesn’t criticize them for not understanding. He doesn’t force-feed them divine revelation. He does what love does best, He waits. We often imagine that the holier we are, the more spiritual information we should have, like we’re climbing some ladder toward enlightenment. But here’s Jesus, the Son of God, saying, “Not everything is for now.” Because divine truth isn’t a one click download. It’s a relationship. 

I remember my uncle telling his son about their family’s financial troubles, but only after the boy had graduated college. “Why didn’t you tell me earlier?” the son asked. His father simply said, “Because I didn’t want you carrying what you weren’t strong enough for. My job was to let you grow strong first.” 

Jesus knows that the disciples are about to go through a whirlwind, betrayal, crucifixion, fear, failure. Telling them everything at that moment would have crushed them. So instead, He gives a promise: “When the Spirit of truth comes, He will guide you into all the truth.” The Holy Spirit isn’t a firehose of information. He’s a guide. A patient, persistent, Spirit of Love who walks with us and reveals what we need when we need it. 

Waiting Is Preparation

Sometimes, we’re like those little children. We want answers now. We want explanations now. We want healing, clarity, meaning, all now. We think, “If I had more faith, I would understand.” Or, “If I were holy enough, this would make sense.” But Jesus gently says, “Even my closest friends weren’t ready."  

Abraham had to wait years before Isaac was born. Joseph waited in a prison cell before his dreams were fulfilled. Mary “pondered things in her heart” without immediate understanding. Even Jesus, we’re told, “grew in wisdom and stature.” He didn’t rush His own mission. He lived into it. 

What about us? What if that silence we feel in prayer isn’t absence, but preparation? What if the answers we seek are just waiting for us to become the kind of person who can carry them?  

If you’re in a season of not knowing, of waiting, or in a place where life feels confusing, where God seems silent, where you are aching for answers, hear this Gospel as a personal word of comfort. Let us lean into the mystery. After all, the best stories are not the ones we control; they are the ones we surrender to, measure by measure. The Holy Spirit doesn’t lift life’s fog but hands us a lantern, its light just bright enough for our next step, just bright enough for our next step! 

• Today’s Readings

• Father Boby's inspirational homily was recorded live during Mass at the Father Peyton Center this morning. You can view the Mass (and the Rosary at the 30-minute mark) on the Family Rosary YouTube page. 

• To join the Rosary and Mass Livestream, visit the Family Rosary YouTube or Facebook page at 11:30 a.m. Eastern, Monday – Friday. Consider inviting others to join too! (*If you are not a member of Facebook and a signup window appears, simply select the X at the top of the pop-up message and continue to the livestream.)