Daily Gospel Reflection
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December 19, 2019
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 a descendant 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 and his section was on duty, he was chosen by lot, according to the custom of the priesthood, to enter the sanctuary of the Lord and 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 will I know that this is so? 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 wondered at his delay in the sanctuary. When he did come out, he could not 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 went 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 when he looked favorably on me and took away the disgrace I have endured among my people.”
Reflection
Human beings like proof. Whether for fear of being played a fool or having high hopes dashed, we like certainty. Even when the news is good, our first reaction is still to seek some form of assurance. A scared, sleepless child is told that he has nothing to fear and can rest easy. “Do you promise?” A college student learns that an alumnus has donated a hefty sum in order to cut in half the price of all students’ bowl tickets. “Seriously?!” A friend, despite betraying another’s confidence, discovers that she will receive a second chance. “Really? You mean it?” People hear what they desperately yearn for, yet their impulse is to still question.
Zechariah is no different. After hearing that he and Elizabeth will have a son – that their long-offered prayers have been answered – his predisposition was to doubt. He wants certainty. “How can I be sure of this?” Zechariah asks Gabriel. Gabriel, in turn, tells Zechariah that he will be compelled to silence until John’s birth.
I find this exchange both comforting and instructive. I’m heartened that someone like Zechariah – a person entrusted by God with the awesome responsibility of being the father of a great prophet like John the Baptist – is not above having his doubts. We’re not alone in our questioning, even when we shouldn’t.
I also believe it is revealing that the angel-prescribed remedy for Zechariah’s doubt is not to prove his belief by telling others of the good news, but silence. For the next nine months, he has no choice but to ponder in his heart the miraculous way God is working in his life. As our own hearts stir with anticipatory joy during this often bustling and “noisy” Advent season – as we, like Zechariah, wait to celebrate the birth of a baby boy – perhaps we might benefit from Zechariah’s silence to marvel at God’s works.
Prayer
Lord, the infant in Elizabeth’s womb leaped for joy when you drew near in the womb of your mother Mary. “Blessed are you,” Elizabeth said to Mary, “and blessed is the fruit of your womb.” Help us to experience the same kind of joy, Lord, as we welcome you each day into our lives. Amen.
Saint of the Day
Sts. Nemesius and Isidore were martyrs who gave their lives for their faith in ancient Alexandria.
Around the year 250, an Egyptian named Nemesius was arrested in Alexandria for theft. In the course of his trial, it was discovered that he was a Christian, a crime punishable by death under the imperial persecution. He confessed his faith, and was imprisoned with a number of thieves. Nemesius was whipped and beaten twice as severely as the others.
After their beating, Nemesius and the other criminals were killed by being burned. Tradition honors him for dying among thieves, just as Jesus did.
Four other Christians were also arrested in that persecution. Among them were a man named Isidore and a boy who was 15 years old. The judge tried to convince the boy to denounce his faith, and then had him tortured with Isidore and his friends. When they remained firm, Isidore and his friends were killed by being burned, but the boy was turned loose.
The feast day of St. Isidore and his companions is Dec. 14, and St. Nemesius is remembered today. The relics of Sts. Nemesius and Isidore rest in the reliquary chapel in the Basilica.
Sts. Nemesius and Isidore, you were treated worse than criminals and died for your faith, pray for us!
Image Credit: Our featured image of Sts. Nemesius and Isidore is in the public domain. Last accessed November 1, 2024 on Wikimedia Commons.
