Scripture: Judges 13:2-7,24-25. Psalm 71:3-4.5-6.16-17. Luke 1:5-25.
Lectionary # 196:

In the Infancy Narratives of Matthew and Luke which consist of only the
first two chapters, we are amazed by the spiritual lessons and motivations
we can glean from them if we take the time to meditate and ponder over
their theological purpose and their great value for our own spiritual
development. We are encouraged to think about them as a community, a
people, and a society rather than just as a God and I or Jesus and I
relationship. We are all in this mystery of God's permanent and merciful
love. These narratives are windows of opportunity for seeing the world in
a new light that offers us hope and love. The liturgical readings have
taken them up in this octave before Christmas and we are led into the long
history and traditions around that history that have helped us make this
time of year something special. On a theological level we enter into the
plan of God's redemptive love and mercy seen in the Incarnation. It is a
human dimension that shows us that the birth of a child is the greatest act
of love that God could present to us as a Christmas gift. God so loved the
world that he sent his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may
not perish but may have eternal life. (John 3:16). Now that is too good to
be true, but this is what the Scriptures tell us. Today's narratives are
about remarkable births--the birth of Samson whose mother had been
considered barren and the birth announcement to Zechariah concerning the
birth of his son who would be precursor of the Messiah, John the Baptist.
The mother of Samson believes and trusts so she is rewarded with a very
healthy and strong son. Meanwhile the priest Zechariah is visited by an
angel and does not believe the remarkable announcement that his wife
Elizabeth though barren will bear a son. Unlike Joseph whom we heard about
yesterday, Zechariah though being a righteous person needs more than a
messenger of God to tell him what is to happen. Unlike Mary, he does not
dialogue with the angel about his doubts. He remains in his inner
conviction that this is impossible. We are often like that in our own way
of thinking about what God requires of us. Some gifts are so good that we
refuse to believe that God could do this for us. Wrestling with these
impossibles in our life is the grist of the virtue of hope. Benedict XVI
gives us some great practices that spring from hope in the last part of his
recent Advent encyclical. These suggestions will help us to really
appreciate the gift of Jesus becoming one with us in every aspect of our
daily life. We will learn that Zechariah is eventually convinced and names
his son John (Grace of God). Our prayer for today should be his own hymn
called the Benedictus (Luke 1: 68-79). Amen.