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. Once when he was serving as priest in his division’s turn before God, according to the practice of the priestly service, he was chosen by lotto enter the sanctuary of the Lord to burn incense. Then, when the whole assembly of the people was praying outside at the hour of the incense offering, the angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing at the right of the altar of incense. Zechariah was troubled by what he saw, and fear came upon him. But the angel said to him, “Do not be afraid, Zechariah, because your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you shall name him John. And you will have joy and gladness, and many will rejoice at his birth, for he will be great in the sight of the Lord. He will drink neither wine nor strong drink. He will be filled with the Holy Spirit even from his mother’s womb, and he will turn many of the children of Israel to the Lord their God. He will go before him in the spirit and power of Elijah to turn the hearts of fathers toward children and the disobedient to the understanding of the righteous, to prepare a people fit for the Lord.” Then Zechariah said to the angel, “How shall I know this? For I am an old man, and my wife is advanced in years.” And the angel said to him in reply, “I am Gabriel, who stand before God. I was sent to speak to you and to announce to you this good news. But now you will be speechless and unable to talk until the day these things take place, because you did not believe my words, which will be fulfilled at their proper time.” Meanwhile the people were waiting for Zechariah and were amazed that he stayed so long in the sanctuary. But when he came out, he was unable to speak to them, and they realized that he had seen a vision in the sanctuary. He was gesturing to them but remained mute. Then, when his days of ministry were completed, he went home. After this time his wife Elizabeth conceived, and she went into seclusion for five months, saying,“So has the Lord done for me at a time when he has seen fit to take away my disgrace before others.”
REFLECTION
“How shall I know this?
How shall I know anything? God's faithfulness is always there. We don’t see it sometimes because we have our own schedule or agenda, our own expectations and perhaps a good portion of lack of faith and trust.
In unexpected timing, His power over our limitations becomes the obvious. Limitations such as old age and barrenness are overshadowed by God in the answered prayers of Samson’s mother and Elizabeth and Zechariah. Samson’s mother did not question, whereas Zechariah, one of the temple priests, doubted and asked for a sign.
How many times do we quit praying, give up, walk around with doom and gloom on our faces? We are still miserable because our prayers have not been answered!!
“Nothing is impossible for God” (Luke 1:37). So why do we doubt, worry, as if the obstacles of life can trip up God and we are the only last surviving soldier to do battle?
The importance of persevering faith, even in doubt, cannot be stressed as in the readings of today. God enters into our ordinary lives, even our daily dull routines, and brings about miraculous, life-changing events.
Little surprises throughout the day…just the minor and major annoyances… can become a source of hope if we see the hand of God in everything in our lives.
Comments