Announcement of the Birth of John

Today's Reflections

Announcement of the Birth of John

Lk 1:5-25

⁵In the days of Herod, King of Judea, there was a priest named Zechariah… ⁸Once when he was serving as priest in his division’s turn before God... ¹¹the angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing at the right of the altar of incense. ¹²Zechariah was troubled by what he saw, and fear came upon him. ¹³But 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. ¹⁴And you will have joy and gladness, and many will rejoice at his birth, ¹⁵for he will be great in the sight of [the] Lord. ... ¹⁹And 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. …

²¹Meanwhile the people were waiting for Zechariah and were amazed that he stayed so long in the sanctuary. ²²But 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. ²³Then, when his days of ministry were completed, he went home. ²⁴After this time his wife Elizabeth conceived, and she went into seclusion for five months, saying, ²⁵“So has the Lord done for me at a time when he has seen fit to take away my disgrace before others.”

Reflection:

He was unable to speak. Zechariah and Elizabeth are blessed by God. In their old age they are gifted with a child. God takes away the disgrace associated with barrenness.

The Gospel pinpoints the value of silence. God speaks in silence. Zechariah is rendered speechless after questioning the possibility of Elizabeth begetting a child in her old age. Elizabeth goes into seclusion for five months, relishing God’s marvel for her and Zechariah.

That we may not get lost in shopping sprees and “midnight madness” sales for Christmas, let us find time to speak to God in the silence of our hearts. That we may not be too preoccupied with what to eat, where to celebrate, and what to wear, let us pause in silence to listen to God’s voice. When we must take a serious decision, act or speak on a delicate issue, let us seek God’s counsel in prayerful silence.

I will trust God.

I will not doubt or question his ways.