Wednesday of the Third Week of Advent
Lectionary: 195
Lectionary: 195
There was a certain man from Zorah, of the clan of the Danites,
whose name was Manoah.
His wife was barren and had borne no children.
An angel of the LORD appeared to the woman and said to her,
"Though you are barren and have had no children,
yet you will conceive and bear a son.
Now, then, be careful to take no wine or strong drink
and to eat nothing unclean.
As for the son you will conceive and bear,
no razor shall touch his head,
for this boy is to be consecrated to God from the womb.
It is he who will begin the deliverance of Israel
from the power of the Philistines."
The woman went and told her husband,
"A man of God came to me;
he had the appearance of an angel of God, terrible indeed.
I did not ask him where he came from, nor did he tell me his name.
But he said to me,
'You will be with child and will bear a son.
So take neither wine nor strong drink, and eat nothing unclean.
For the boy shall be consecrated to God from the womb,
until the day of his death.'"
The woman bore a son and named him Samson.
The boy grew up and the LORD blessed him;
the Spirit of the LORD stirred him.
whose name was Manoah.
His wife was barren and had borne no children.
An angel of the LORD appeared to the woman and said to her,
"Though you are barren and have had no children,
yet you will conceive and bear a son.
Now, then, be careful to take no wine or strong drink
and to eat nothing unclean.
As for the son you will conceive and bear,
no razor shall touch his head,
for this boy is to be consecrated to God from the womb.
It is he who will begin the deliverance of Israel
from the power of the Philistines."
The woman went and told her husband,
"A man of God came to me;
he had the appearance of an angel of God, terrible indeed.
I did not ask him where he came from, nor did he tell me his name.
But he said to me,
'You will be with child and will bear a son.
So take neither wine nor strong drink, and eat nothing unclean.
For the boy shall be consecrated to God from the womb,
until the day of his death.'"
The woman bore a son and named him Samson.
The boy grew up and the LORD blessed him;
the Spirit of the LORD stirred him.
Responsorial Psalm Ps 71:3-4a, 5-6ab, 16-17
R. (see 8) My
mouth shall be filled with your praise, and I will sing your glory!
Be my rock of refuge,
a stronghold to give me safety,
for you are my rock and my fortress.
O my God, rescue me from the hand of the wicked.
R. My mouth shall be filled with your praise, and I will sing your glory!
For you are my hope, O LORD;
my trust, O God, from my youth.
On you I depend from birth;
from my mother's womb you are my strength.
R. My mouth shall be filled with your praise, and I will sing your glory!
I will treat of the mighty works of the LORD;
O God, I will tell of your singular justice.
O God, you have taught me from my youth,
and till the present I proclaim your wondrous deeds.
R. My mouth shall be filled with your praise, and I will sing your glory!
Be my rock of refuge,
a stronghold to give me safety,
for you are my rock and my fortress.
O my God, rescue me from the hand of the wicked.
R. My mouth shall be filled with your praise, and I will sing your glory!
For you are my hope, O LORD;
my trust, O God, from my youth.
On you I depend from birth;
from my mother's womb you are my strength.
R. My mouth shall be filled with your praise, and I will sing your glory!
I will treat of the mighty works of the LORD;
O God, I will tell of your singular justice.
O God, you have taught me from my youth,
and till the present I proclaim your wondrous deeds.
R. My mouth shall be filled with your praise, and I will sing your glory!
Gospel Lk 1:5-25
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 lot
to 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."
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 lot
to 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."
www.usccb.org
Meditation: "Many will rejoice at his
birth"
Do you believe that God will fulfill all
his promises just as he said? Advent is a time to renew our hope and confidence
in God’s faithfulness to the covenant he made with his people. In preparing the
way for a Savior, we see the wondrous miracle of two barren couples who
conceive and bear sons – Samson in the Old Testament (Judges 13) and John the
Baptist in the New Testament (Luke 1:5ff) – who are called by God to bring hope
and deliverance at a time of spiritual darkness and difficulty for the people
of God.
Zechariah was a godly man who was
tuned to God’s voice. He was born into a priestly family and it was his
privilege to be chosen to enter the inner court of the temple to offer
sacrifice to God. Luke records that the people wondered at Zechariah’s
delay and were amazed that he was speechless when he withdrew from the inner
sanctuary. They rightly perceived that he had a special encounter with God.
God’s angelic messenger greeted Zechariah with a blessing beyond his
expectations. “Your prayer is heard! You will have a son! And his mission
will be great for all of Israel. ” Now that seemed like a lot for Zechariah to
take in all at once. Could God really do a miracle for his barren wife,
Elizabeth? The angel somewhat wisely put Zechariah in his place before
God’s mighty action. He became speechless until the day the infant was
dedicated to the Lord and given the name, John. When God draws us into his
presence, he wants us to be still and quiet before him so we can listen to his
voice as he speaks to our hearts and reveals his mind to us. Do you
listen attentively to the Lord and do you ponder his word in your heart with
trust and confidence?
In the annunciation of the birth of
John the Baptist, the angel explains to Zechariah the role his son is to play
in preparing the way for the Messiah. John will be great in the sight of God.
He will live as a Nazarite (see Numbers 6) – a person set apart for the Lord.
He will be filled with the Holy Spirit even within his mother's womb. And he
shall be sent to the people of God, in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn
the hearts of fathers and children to God and one another, by turning the
"disobedient to the wisdom of the just." The name John means
"the Lord is gracious". When God acts to save us he graciously fills
us with his Holy Spirit and makes our faith "alive" to his promises.
Do you pray that "the hearts of parents and children may be turned to God
and one another"?
"Lord
Jesus, you bring hope and restoration to your people. Restore and strengthen
Christian family life today. Help me to love and serve my family. May your love
rule in all my relationships and remove any barriers to peace and
harmony."
www.dailyscripture.net
Doubting Zechariah |
Wednesday of the Third Week of Advent
|
Father Edward McIlmail, LC
Luke 1:5-25
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 lot to 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.”
Introductory Prayer: Grant me the grace to
make the most of this time of anticipation for your arrival at Christmas,
Lord. My faith rests in you, my hope looks toward spending eternity with you.
Help me grasp the value of time in the face of eternity.
Petition: Lord, help me to see the signs that you send
into my life.
1. Seeing, yet Disbelieving: Zechariah had no
excuse for doubting. There he was: in the sanctuary of the Lord, burning
incense ― a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. It was a privileged moment, a
sacred space. Even an angel appears! If ever a man should have been prepared
for a special message, it was Zechariah. Yet he doubts. He doesn’t believe.
He had followed "all the commandments," yet his fidelity didn’t
translate into a living faith at a crucial moment. Do we fall into the same
trap? We say many prayers, but react with skepticism when God has a special
request. Why is that? Are we trying to show love when we pray? Or are we just
rattling on?
2. Excuses, Excuses: Zechariah thought his age would hinder
God’s plan. He underestimated God’s power. Indeed, it is not God who is
limited; rather, we are the ones who limit God, so to speak. Throughout the
Bible, God called on unlikely people. Moses probably stuttered (cf. Exodus
4:10). Jeremiah was "too young" (Jeremiah 1:6). Peter was
uneducated (Acts 4:13). Saul of Tarsus hated Christians (cf. Acts 9:1). All
were unlikely prophets or apostles ― yet they let God use them. What’s my
excuse for saying no to God? Am I too busy? Too old? Too young? Too unworthy?
Could God be calling me to do something that I think is beyond my capability?
3. Plowing Ahead: God goes ahead with his plan despite
Zechariah’s lack of faith. The Almighty was anxious to raise up a fitting
herald (St. John the Baptist) for his Son. So he left Zechariah speechless
for a time. We shouldn’t be surprised if God plows ahead with his own plans
in our lives, even when we resist him. He might do something unusual in our
lives in order to keep his plans advancing. Could those setbacks really be
God’s hand at work? Might he be preparing us for something better?
Conversation with Christ: I like to think that
I’m less stubborn than Zechariah, Lord. But sometimes it is hard to accept
your will. I might even feel as if I have "missed the boat," and
that you are no longer interested in me. Help me reject this kind of thinking
and to have confidence in you.
Resolution: I will pray a Hail Mary for the ability to
say “yes” to God’s plans in my life.
|
www.regnumchristi.com
WEDNESDAY,
DECEMBER 19
Advent Weekday
LUKE 1:5-25
(Judges 13:2-7, 24-25a; Psalm 71)
KEY VERSE: "Your wife Elizabeth shall bear you a son, and you shall name him John" (v 13).
READING: Mary's kinswoman Elizabeth and her husband husband Zechariah were of advanced age and were childless. Zechariah was of thepriestly division of Abijah, the eighth of the twenty-four divisions of priests, and he was chosen by lot to serve in the Jerusalem Temple. While he was burning incense in the sanctuary, the angel Gabriel announced the birth of a son to him. The child would be named John meaning "Yahweh is Gracious." John had been chosen by God to be a prophet who would turn the hearts of the people back to the Lord (Mal 3:23). Zechariah questioned the validity of the promise, and because he doubted the divine messenger, he was made mute until the birth of his son. Paradoxically, John would be God's "voice" announcing the coming of the Messiah.
REFLECTING: Am I a messenger of good news to others?
PRAYING: Lord God, help me to believe the words you speak to me.
Advent Weekday
LUKE 1:5-25
(Judges 13:2-7, 24-25a; Psalm 71)
KEY VERSE: "Your wife Elizabeth shall bear you a son, and you shall name him John" (v 13).
READING: Mary's kinswoman Elizabeth and her husband husband Zechariah were of advanced age and were childless. Zechariah was of thepriestly division of Abijah, the eighth of the twenty-four divisions of priests, and he was chosen by lot to serve in the Jerusalem Temple. While he was burning incense in the sanctuary, the angel Gabriel announced the birth of a son to him. The child would be named John meaning "Yahweh is Gracious." John had been chosen by God to be a prophet who would turn the hearts of the people back to the Lord (Mal 3:23). Zechariah questioned the validity of the promise, and because he doubted the divine messenger, he was made mute until the birth of his son. Paradoxically, John would be God's "voice" announcing the coming of the Messiah.
REFLECTING: Am I a messenger of good news to others?
PRAYING: Lord God, help me to believe the words you speak to me.
O
FLOWER OF JESSE'S STEM
O Radix Jesse: "O Flower of Jesse, you have been raised up as a sign for all peoples; kings stand silent in your presence; the nations bow down in worship before you. Come, let nothing keep you from coming to our aid." See Isaiah 11:10; Micah 5:1
O Radix Jesse: "O Flower of Jesse, you have been raised up as a sign for all peoples; kings stand silent in your presence; the nations bow down in worship before you. Come, let nothing keep you from coming to our aid." See Isaiah 11:10; Micah 5:1
www.daily-word-of-life.com
Fill me with your praise and I will
sing your glory
Today’s scene is sometimes called the Annunciation to Zechariah. And what an annunciation for an old man! His wife will give birth to a son, an answer to prayer. In the temple, Gabriel declares to Zechariah: ‘He will be your joy and delight and many will rejoice at his birth for he will be great in the sight of the Lord.’ This son will come to turn the hearts of parents to their children and ‘make ready a people prepared for the Lord’.
Zechariah finds it difficult to believe all this, and when he emerges from the sanctuary, unable to speak, the people realise that something mysterious has happened. In time, God’s promise will be fulfilled. May our hearts rejoice in these wondrous events in these days.
www.churchresources.info
December 19
Blessed Pope Urban V
(1310-1370)
Blessed Pope Urban V
(1310-1370)
In 1362, the man elected pope declined the office. When the
cardinals could not find another person among them for that important office,
they turned to a relative stranger: the holy person we honor today.
The new Pope
Urban V proved a wise choice. A Benedictine monk and canon lawyer, he was
deeply spiritual and brilliant. He lived simply and modestly, which did not
always earn him friends among clergymen who had become used to comfort and
privilege. Still, he pressed for reform and saw to the restoration of churches
and monasteries. Except for a brief period he spent most of his eight years as
pope living away from Rome at Avignon, seat of the papacy from 1309 until
shortly after his death.
He came close
but was not able to achieve one of his biggest goals—reuniting the Eastern and
Western churches.
As pope, Urban
continued to follow the Benedictine Rule. Shortly before his death in 1370 he
asked to be moved from the papal palace to the nearby home of his brother so he
could say goodbye to the ordinary people he had so often helped.
www.americancatholic.org
St. Nemesius
Feastday:
December 19
Martyr
of Egypt. He was burned alive in Alexandria, Egypt, during the persecutions
under Emperor Trajanus Decius. Nemesius was arrested and scourged and then
burned to death. Like Christ, he was executed between two criminals.
St. Augustine Moi
Feastday: December 19
Died: 1839
One of the martyrs of Vietnam. A Dominican tertiary,
Augustine worked as a day laborer. When the persecution of the faith started,
he was ordered to trample a crucifix, an act he refused. Augustine's tormentors
strangled him for his loyalty to Christ. He was beautified in 1900 and
canonized in 1988 by Pope John Paul II.
St. Dominic Uy
Feastday: December 19
Died: 1839
Canonized By: Pope John Paul II
Vietnamese martyr, a tertiary of the Dominican Order. He was
strangled at the age of twenty-six. Dominic was beatified in 1900 and canonized
in 1988.
St. Francis Xavier
Mau
Feastday: December 19
Died: 1839
Martyr of Vietnam. He was a native catechist who was
strangled, as were his four companions.
St. Stephen Vinh
Vietnamese Martyr
St. Francis Man
Feastday: December 19
Died: 1839
Dominican tertiary, a martyr of Vietnam. Francis was
serving as a catechist when arrested. He and four companions were strangled. He
was beatified in 1900 and canonized in 1988.
www.catholic.org
LECTIO: LUKE 1,5-25
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Lectio:
Wednesday,
December 19, 2012
3rd Week of Advent
1) Opening prayer
Lord, mighty God,
no angel announced our birth,
but we know that you loved us
even before we were born,
and that you call us to prepare
the fuller coming of your Son among people.
Reveal your strength in our weakness,
keep us hoping in your future,
that we may overcome all obstacles
to establish the kingdom
of Jesus Christ our Lord.
2) Gospel Reading – Luke 1, 5-25
In the days of King Herod of Judaea there lived a priest called Zechariah who belonged to the Abijah section of the priesthood, and he had a wife, Elizabeth by name, who was a descendant of Aaron. Both were upright in the sight of God and impeccably carried out all the commandments and observances of the Lord. But they were childless: Elizabeth was barren and they were both advanced in years.
Now it happened that it was the turn of his section to serve, and he was exercising his priestly office before God when it fell to him by lot, as the priestly custom was, to enter the Lord's sanctuary and burn incense there. And at the hour of incense all the people were outside, praying. Then there appeared to him the angel of the Lord, standing on the right of the altar of incense. The sight disturbed Zechariah and he was overcome with fear. But the angel said to him, 'Zechariah, do not be afraid, for your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth is to bear you a son and you shall name him John. He will be your joy and delight and many will rejoice at his birth, for he will be great in the sight of the Lord; he must drink no wine, no strong drink; even from his mother's womb he will be filled with the Holy Spirit, and he will bring back many of the Israelites to the Lord their God. With the spirit and power of Elijah, he will go before him to reconcile fathers to their children and the disobedient to the good sense of the upright, preparing for the Lord a people fit for him.' Zechariah said to the angel, 'How can I know this? I am an old man and my wife is getting on in years.' The angel replied, 'I am Gabriel, who stand in God's presence, and I have been sent to speak to you and bring you this good news. Look! Since you did not believe my words, which will come true at their appointed time, you will be silenced and have no power of speech until this has happened.'
Meanwhile the people were waiting for Zechariah and were surprised that he stayed in the sanctuary so long. When he came out he could not speak to them, and they realised that he had seen a vision in the sanctuary. But he could only make signs to them and remained dumb. When his time of service came to an end he returned home.
Some time later his wife Elizabeth conceived and for five months she kept to herself, saying, 'The Lord has done this for me, now that it has pleased him to take away the humiliation I suffered in public.'
3) Reflection
• Today’s Gospel speaks to us about the visit of the Angel Gabriel to Zechariah (Lk 1, 5-25). The Gospel of tomorrow will speak about the visit of the Angel Gabriel to Mary (Lk 1, 26-38). Luke places both of these visits side by side to each other, in such a way that we may read both texts attentively, that we may perceive the small and significant difference between one visit and the other, between the Old and the New Testament. Look for and discover the differences between the visits of the Angel Gabriel to Zechariah and to Mary through the following questions: Where does the Angel appear? To whom does he appear? Which is his message, what does he announce? Which is the response? Which is the reaction of the person after receiving the visit ? Etc.
• The first message of the Angel of God to Zechariah is: “Do not be afraid!” Up until now, God still causes fear to many persons and up until now the message continues to be valid, “Do not be afraid!” Immediately the Angel adds: “Your prayer has been heard!” In our life, everything is the fruit of prayer!
• Zechariah represents the Old Testament. He believes, but his faith is weak. After the visit, he remains mute, incapable to communicate with the persons. The manner in which the project of salvation, known by Zechariah, how it had been revealed up to that moment, had exhausted all his resources, while God was initiating a new phase together with Mary.
• In the announcement of the Angel is expressed all the importance of the mission of the child who will be born and who will be called John: “he must drink no wine, no strong drink, even from his mother’s womb he will be filled with the Holy Spirit”, that is, John will be a person totally consecrated to God and to his mission. “He will bring back many of the Israelites to the Lord their God. With the spirit and power of Elijah he will go before him to reconcile fathers to their children and the disobedient to the good sense of the upright, preparing for the Lord a people fit for him”, that is, in the child John will take place the expected return of the Prophet Elijah who will have to come to carry out the reconstruction of community life: to reconcile the heart of the parents to their children and the disobedient toward the wisdom of the just.
• In reality, the mission of John was very important. According to the people, he was a prophet (Mk 11, 32). Many years later, in Ephesus, Paul continued to find persons who had been baptized with the Baptism of John (Acts 19, 3).
• When Elizabeth, being old, conceived and remained pregnant, she hid herself during five months. While Mary, instead of hiding, gets out of her house and goes to serve her.
4) Personal questions
• What struck you the most in this visit of Angel Gabriel to Zechariah?
• To reconcile the heart of the parents toward their sons, that is, to reconstruct the fabric of human relationship from the basis and to build up the life in community. This was the mission of John. This was also the mission of Jesus and continues to be today the most important mission. How do I contribute to this mission?
5) Concluding Prayer
For you are my hope, Lord,
my trust, Yahweh, since boyhood.
On you I have relied since my birth,
since my mother's womb you have been my portion. (Ps 71,5-6)
Lord, mighty God,
no angel announced our birth,
but we know that you loved us
even before we were born,
and that you call us to prepare
the fuller coming of your Son among people.
Reveal your strength in our weakness,
keep us hoping in your future,
that we may overcome all obstacles
to establish the kingdom
of Jesus Christ our Lord.
2) Gospel Reading – Luke 1, 5-25
In the days of King Herod of Judaea there lived a priest called Zechariah who belonged to the Abijah section of the priesthood, and he had a wife, Elizabeth by name, who was a descendant of Aaron. Both were upright in the sight of God and impeccably carried out all the commandments and observances of the Lord. But they were childless: Elizabeth was barren and they were both advanced in years.
Now it happened that it was the turn of his section to serve, and he was exercising his priestly office before God when it fell to him by lot, as the priestly custom was, to enter the Lord's sanctuary and burn incense there. And at the hour of incense all the people were outside, praying. Then there appeared to him the angel of the Lord, standing on the right of the altar of incense. The sight disturbed Zechariah and he was overcome with fear. But the angel said to him, 'Zechariah, do not be afraid, for your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth is to bear you a son and you shall name him John. He will be your joy and delight and many will rejoice at his birth, for he will be great in the sight of the Lord; he must drink no wine, no strong drink; even from his mother's womb he will be filled with the Holy Spirit, and he will bring back many of the Israelites to the Lord their God. With the spirit and power of Elijah, he will go before him to reconcile fathers to their children and the disobedient to the good sense of the upright, preparing for the Lord a people fit for him.' Zechariah said to the angel, 'How can I know this? I am an old man and my wife is getting on in years.' The angel replied, 'I am Gabriel, who stand in God's presence, and I have been sent to speak to you and bring you this good news. Look! Since you did not believe my words, which will come true at their appointed time, you will be silenced and have no power of speech until this has happened.'
Meanwhile the people were waiting for Zechariah and were surprised that he stayed in the sanctuary so long. When he came out he could not speak to them, and they realised that he had seen a vision in the sanctuary. But he could only make signs to them and remained dumb. When his time of service came to an end he returned home.
Some time later his wife Elizabeth conceived and for five months she kept to herself, saying, 'The Lord has done this for me, now that it has pleased him to take away the humiliation I suffered in public.'
3) Reflection
• Today’s Gospel speaks to us about the visit of the Angel Gabriel to Zechariah (Lk 1, 5-25). The Gospel of tomorrow will speak about the visit of the Angel Gabriel to Mary (Lk 1, 26-38). Luke places both of these visits side by side to each other, in such a way that we may read both texts attentively, that we may perceive the small and significant difference between one visit and the other, between the Old and the New Testament. Look for and discover the differences between the visits of the Angel Gabriel to Zechariah and to Mary through the following questions: Where does the Angel appear? To whom does he appear? Which is his message, what does he announce? Which is the response? Which is the reaction of the person after receiving the visit ? Etc.
• The first message of the Angel of God to Zechariah is: “Do not be afraid!” Up until now, God still causes fear to many persons and up until now the message continues to be valid, “Do not be afraid!” Immediately the Angel adds: “Your prayer has been heard!” In our life, everything is the fruit of prayer!
• Zechariah represents the Old Testament. He believes, but his faith is weak. After the visit, he remains mute, incapable to communicate with the persons. The manner in which the project of salvation, known by Zechariah, how it had been revealed up to that moment, had exhausted all his resources, while God was initiating a new phase together with Mary.
• In the announcement of the Angel is expressed all the importance of the mission of the child who will be born and who will be called John: “he must drink no wine, no strong drink, even from his mother’s womb he will be filled with the Holy Spirit”, that is, John will be a person totally consecrated to God and to his mission. “He will bring back many of the Israelites to the Lord their God. With the spirit and power of Elijah he will go before him to reconcile fathers to their children and the disobedient to the good sense of the upright, preparing for the Lord a people fit for him”, that is, in the child John will take place the expected return of the Prophet Elijah who will have to come to carry out the reconstruction of community life: to reconcile the heart of the parents to their children and the disobedient toward the wisdom of the just.
• In reality, the mission of John was very important. According to the people, he was a prophet (Mk 11, 32). Many years later, in Ephesus, Paul continued to find persons who had been baptized with the Baptism of John (Acts 19, 3).
• When Elizabeth, being old, conceived and remained pregnant, she hid herself during five months. While Mary, instead of hiding, gets out of her house and goes to serve her.
4) Personal questions
• What struck you the most in this visit of Angel Gabriel to Zechariah?
• To reconcile the heart of the parents toward their sons, that is, to reconstruct the fabric of human relationship from the basis and to build up the life in community. This was the mission of John. This was also the mission of Jesus and continues to be today the most important mission. How do I contribute to this mission?
5) Concluding Prayer
For you are my hope, Lord,
my trust, Yahweh, since boyhood.
On you I have relied since my birth,
since my mother's womb you have been my portion. (Ps 71,5-6)
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