Presence

“In quietness and in trust shall be your strength” (Isaiah 30:15).  Jesus, help me to have a quiet and trusting disposition, as I take these few moments of prayer today.

First Reading

Judges 13:2-7, 24-25 NRSVue

There was a certain man of Zorah, of the tribe of the Danites, whose name was Manoah. His wife was barren, having borne no children. And the angel of the Lord appeared to the woman and said to her, “Although you are barren, having borne no children, you shall conceive and bear a son. Now be careful not to drink wine or strong drink or to eat anything unclean, for you shall conceive and bear a son. No razor is to come on his head, for the boy shall be a nazirite to God from birth. It is he who shall begin to deliver Israel from the hand of the Philistines.” Then the woman came and told her husband, “A man of God came to me, and his appearance was like that of an angel of God, most awe-inspiring; I did not ask him where he came from, and he did not tell me his name, but he said to me, ‘You shall conceive and bear a son. So then, drink no wine or strong drink and eat nothing unclean, for the boy shall be a nazirite to God from birth to the day of his death.’ ”

The woman bore a son and named him Samson. The boy grew, and the Lord blessed him. The spirit of the Lord began to stir him in Mahaneh-dan, between Zorah and Eshtaol.

First Reading Reflection

The readings today are about children born to those in older years who had suffered through not being able to have a child. Manoah’s wife conceived Samson, a big figure in the future of his people. There are two strands to this reading: the physical, natural birth of a child, and the Lord as the protector of his people and the giver of life. We may think today of young children in our family/whom we know, pray for them and hope that their lives will be happy and good for them and those around them. We remember also those couples who long for a child and cannot have one. We hope our prayers will help them.

Gospel

Luke 1:5-25 NRSVue

In the days of King Herod of Judea, there was a priest named Zechariah, who belonged to the priestly order of Abijah. His wife was descended from the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elizabeth. Both of them were righteous before God, living blamelessly according to all the commandments and regulations of the Lord. But they had no children because Elizabeth was barren, and both were getting on in years.

Once when he was serving as priest before God during his section’s turn of duty, he was chosen by lot, according to the custom of the priesthood, to enter the sanctuary of the Lord to offer incense. Now at the time of the incense offering, the whole assembly of the people was praying outside. Then there appeared to him an angel of the Lord, standing at the right side of the altar of incense. When Zechariah saw him, he was terrified, and fear overwhelmed him. But the angel said to him, “Do not be afraid, Zechariah, for your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you will name him John. 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 must never drink wine or strong drink; even before his birth he will be filled with the Holy Spirit. He will turn many of the people of Israel to the Lord their God. With the spirit and power of Elijah he will go before him, to turn the hearts of parents to their children and the disobedient to the wisdom of the righteous, to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.” Zechariah said to the angel, “How can I know that this will happen? For I am an old man, and my wife is getting on in years.” The angel replied, “I am Gabriel. I stand in the presence of God, and I have been sent to speak to you and to bring you this good news. But now, because you did not believe my words, which will be fulfilled in their time, you will become mute, unable to speak, until the day these things occur.”

Meanwhile the people were waiting for Zechariah and wondering at his delay in the sanctuary. When he did come out, he was unable to speak to them, and they realized that he had seen a vision in the sanctuary. He kept motioning to them and remained unable to speak. When his time of service was ended, he returned to his home.

After those days his wife Elizabeth conceived, and for five months she remained in seclusion. She said, “This is what the Lord has done for me in this time, when he looked favorably on me and took away the disgrace I have endured among my people.”

Gospel Reflection

The birth of John the Baptist was also unusual. His father, Zechariah, did not believe that Elizabeth could have a son, being “advanced in years”. For his refusal to believe in the promise of the Lord, he was struck dumb until the birth and naming of John. For a priest, this was a big loss in his life – he could no longer proclaim the word of God. However, perhaps it gave him the space and the quiet for reflection on this wondrous occurrence and to plan how he would play his role in bringing up John, who was clearly going to be someone significant in God’s plan for salvation. Like nearly all parents, he knew the responsibility of parenthood. As we prepare for the feast of the Christ child, we pray today for all children and for anyone we know who is expecting a child.

Closing Prayer

Dear Jesus, “I believe; help my unbelief!” (Mark 9:24). Lord, I give you all the things that feel impossible to me, all the problems and situations in my life that cause me to suffer, and I leave them in your hands, for nothing is impossible for you, and your ways are greater than human logic, reason and the limitations of nature. I praise you and thank you for this, Jesus, and I affirm my trust in you. Amen.