WATCHWORD:
5 When Herod was king of Judea, there was a Jewish priest named Zechariah. He was a member of the priestly order of Abijah, and his wife, Elizabeth, was also from the priestly line of Aaron. 6 Zechariah and Elizabeth were righteous in God’s eyes, careful to obey all of the Lord’s commandments and regulations. 7 They had no children because Elizabeth was unable to conceive, and they were both very old. […] 11 While Zechariah was in the sanctuary, an angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing to the right of the incense altar. 12 Zechariah was shaken and overwhelmed with fear when he saw him. 13 But the angel said, “Don’t be afraid, Zechariah! God has heard your prayer. Your wife, Elizabeth, will give you a son, and you are to name him John. Luke 1:5-7, 11-13
18 Zechariah said to the angel, “How can I be sure this will happen? I’m an old man now, and my wife is also well along in years.” 19 Then the angel said, “I am Gabriel! I stand in the very presence of God. It was he who sent me to bring you this good news! 20 But now, since you didn’t believe what I said, you will be silent and unable to speak until the child is born. For my words will certainly be fulfilled at the proper time.” Luke 1:18-20
Meditation:
Advent Unfolds
Zachariah is a priest, well-schooled in prophecy, and yet not sure and unprepared for a prophecy to be revealed. Miracle after miracle. He heard the angel of the Lord tell him of the familiar scenario of Abram and Sarai facing a similar challenge, and yet God promised to make Abraham “the father of many nations.” That promise was kept.
Now the same thing was happening to he and Elizabeth. She, in her old age, would give birth to a son, and that son would be John the Baptist, who, even before he was born, was filled with the Holy Spirit. According to tradition, at age 30, John would become a Levitical Priest in time to baptize Jesus the Christ. This is just one of the many miracles that prepared the way for the revealing of Jesus Christ to the world.
How does Zachariah respond? With doubt. He wants a guarantee. He wants to know for sure that this will happen. In response to this disbelief, the angel makes Zacharias mute, for a time, providing the old priest with the assurance that anything is possible with God.
Does that sound a little familiar? Early in your faith journey have you ever had doubts or wanted proof. A time when faith alone seemed too iffy? Yet, that blessed assurance came with the sense of peace, God’s peace, and we knew that faith in Christ alone, was all we needed.
I’m reminded of a character in Jesus Christ Superstar, the 1970 rock opera by Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice. At the trial of Jesus, Herod wants proof from this “miracle-worker”. “Prove to me, you’re no fool, walk across my swimming pool”. He wants to see with his own eyes, this King of the Jews.
The word miracle can be defined as an effect or an event that is so impossible as to be considered a work of God. The promise of John the Baptist is laden with the miraculous work of God. The fact is, God was just getting started with that generation and his miraculous graces and works continues today, this very moment. I believe that we can say with assurance that our very lives are the miraculous work of our Heavenly Father. Amen.
Bulletin Board:
The somewhat sacrilegious Herod’s Song from Jesus Christ Superstar —
Jesus I am overjoyed to meet you face to face,
You’ve been getting quite a name all around the place.
Healing cripples, raising from the dead
And now I understand you’re God
At least that’s what you’ve said.
So you are the Christ, yes, the great Jesus Christ
Prove to me that you’re divine — change my water into wine
That’s all you need do and I’ll know it’s all true
C’mon king of the Jews
Jesus you just won’t believe the hit you’ve made round here
You are all we talk about, the wonder of the year
Oh, what a pity if it’s all a lie
Still I’m sure that you can rock the cynics if you try
So you are the Christ, yes, the great Jesus Christ
Prove to me that you’re no fool
Walk across my swimming pool
If you do that for me then I’ll let you go free
C’mon king of the Jews
Closing Prayer:
Heavenly Father, Jesus, Lord and Savior, we come before you with gratitude and amazement. Gratitude for the graces that have flooded our lives, and amazement that you should entrust us with Your Holy Spirit, and do so for us, who, too often, have experienced doubt and entertained thoughts that, somehow, you were absent from what was happening in our lives. Forgive us Lord for shallow belief and strengthen us in the full knowledge that you are in charge of our lives. You are the creator God and more than that, and this is the wonder of our faith, that you love us, and we know that you love us. Thank you, King of the Universe. These prayers we offer in your name, with all glory and honor. Amen.
