Meditation Minute

My Dearest Brothers and Sisters in Christ:

 

“So has the Lord done for me at a time when he has seen fit to take away my disgrace before others.”

 

Gospel Reading: 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.”

 

In today’s Gospel, we hear the annunciation of the birth of John the Baptist.  The Angel Gabriel appears before Zechariah to tell him that his wife, late in years, will finally bear a child.  In the time of Jesus, it was thought that God did not have favor on you if you did not have offspring.  Zechariah and Elizabeth were advanced in age beyond the child bearing age, yet God graced them with a child.  Zechariah apparently wanted a child to carry on the family name. Gabriel says to Zechariah, “Do not be afraid because your prayer has been heard.” How did Zechariah respond to Gabriel?  He responded with doubt and disbelief.  Gabriel tells Zechariah that his son will be great, he will be filled with the Holy Spirit and he will make them very happy and yet Zechariah doubts the message of God. 

 

Today’s Gospel reading has two messages focused on hearing the Word of God and responding to the Word of God.  When God calls us forth, how do we respond.  Through our baptism, we are filled with the Holy Spirit and called to grow in faith.  When our parents or guardians approach the baptismal fount, they are asked what they seek.  Their response is faith for their child.  When Gabriel appeared before Zechariah, Zechariah lacked the faith he needed to believe.  We too are called to grow in faith and serve God unconditionally.  If we ignore the message, we are ignoring the calling of God.  Advent is a time for us to renew our hope in the new covenant of Christ.  In the annunciation, Gabriel told Zechariah that his son would prepare the way of the Lord and that he would turn many people to God.  In our Baptism, we are commanded to grow in faith and become a loyal servant of God.  God is calling you to go out and bring people to the table of life.  He wants us to share in the One Body of Christ which brings us everlasting life.  This advent, renew you’re faith in God’s calling so you can speak the Word of God.  Do not be afraid – it is God calling.  It is time to answer the call.

 

A Simple Prayer

 

Lord Father, fill my heart with hope that I may renew my faith in God.

You have given me the gift of the Holy Spirit, may I rekindle the fire that is within me.

 

Yours in Christ

Michael Marcon