Gospel Reading: Lk 1:5-25
In the days of Herod, King of Judea, there was a priest named Zechariah… Once when he was serving as priest in his division’s turn before God… 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. … 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.”… 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
YOUR PRAYER HAS BEEN HEARD
Before going to Mary in Nazareth, the angel Gabriel appears to Zechariah and announces that God has heard his prayer.
He has been praying like any other pious priest or pilgrim in the Temple of Jerusalem. In the passage, we come to know the content of his prayer. Zechariah has been praying for a son. Elizabeth, his barren wife, will soon conceive a son. It is the dream of couples to have offspring. That is the reason they get married. Marriage is not only for companionship but, most of all, also for childbearing and childrearing. Zechariah’s prayer being heard must be a big story in the village. It is not just a simple childbearing giving joy to the old couple and their neighbors. The mission of the boy is also announced. He will go in the spirit of Elijah to prepare a people fit for the Lord. When he grows up, the child will be God’s instrument in bringing people to turn away from sin. Salvation is around the corner. Though his prayer has been heard, Zechariah is stricken dumb for not believing in God’s power. He seems to have abandoned all hope, but God remembers his covenant. God is not playing games with Zechariah. God operates on a wider perspective. The birth of John should not be too far away from the birth of his Son Jesus.
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SOURCE: “366 Days with the Lord,” ST PAULS, 7708 St. Paul Rd., SAV, Makati City (Phils.); Tel.: 895-9701; Fax 895-7328; E-mail: [email protected]; Website: http://www.stpauls.ph.
