'Your wife Elizabeth will bear a son'
Gospel Luke 1:5-25
In the days of Herod, King of Judea,
there was a priest named Zechariah
of the priestly division of Abijah;
his wife was from the daughters of Aaron,
and her name was Elizabeth.
Both were righteous in the eyes of God,
observing all the commandments
and ordinances of the Lord blamelessly.
But they had no child, because Elizabeth was barren
and both were advanced in years.
Once when he was serving as priest
in his division’s turn before God,
according to the practice of the priestly service,
he was chosen by lot
to enter the sanctuary of the Lord to burn incense.
Then, when the whole assembly of the people was praying outside
at the hour of the incense offering,
the angel of the Lord appeared to him,
standing at the right of the altar of incense.
Zechariah was troubled by what he saw, and fear came upon him.
But 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.
And 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 will drink neither wine nor strong drink.
He will be filled with the Holy Spirit even from his mother’s womb,
and he will turn many of the children of Israel
to the Lord their God. He will go before him in the spirit and power of Elijah
to turn the hearts of fathers toward children
and the disobedient to the understanding of the righteous,
to prepare a people fit for the Lord.”
Then Zechariah said to the angel,
“How shall I know this?
For I am an old man, and my wife is advanced in years.”
And 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.
But now you will be speechless and unable to talk
until the day these things take place,
because you did not believe my words,
which will be fulfilled at their proper time.”
Meanwhile the people were waiting for Zechariah
and were amazed that he stayed so long in the sanctuary.
But 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.
Then, when his days of ministry were completed, he went home.
After this time his wife Elizabeth conceived,
and she went into seclusion for five months, saying,
“So has the Lord done for me at a time when he has seen fit
to take away my disgrace before others.”
Embracing Peace Amidst Trials
by Marie Abellar
Back in 2016, I was forced to confront unimaginable loss with the death of my father. A mere six months later, a fire engulfed our home, stripping away every material possession we held dear. These devastating events could have easily shattered my spirit and consumed me with despair. However, amidst the ashes, a flicker of hope ignited within my heart, propelling me on a journey toward finding an unwavering peace. Like all the chaos and uncertainties of our world, the promise of peace resonates like a beacon of hope, illuminating the path towards tranquility and inner harmony. As we approach the joyous season of Christmas, let us draw inspiration from the Mass readings for Day 4 (Luke 1:5-25), which offer a profound reflection on the transformative power of faith, hope, and healing.
In the Gospel of Luke, we encounter the story of Zechariah and Elizabeth, an elderly couple longing for a child. Despite their advanced years and the seeming impossibility of their desire, God intervenes, sending the angel Gabriel to announce the miraculous birth of their son, John. This divine intervention serves as a powerful reminder of God's unwavering love and His ability to transform even the most challenging situations into moments of grace and fulfillment. Zechariah's initial disbelief mirrors our own moments of doubt and uncertainty. We often find ourselves questioning God's plan, succumbing to fear and anxiety when life throws unexpected curveballs our way. However, as we delve deeper into the narrative, we witness Zechariah's transformation, his skepticism replaced by a profound sense of awe and gratitude. His willingness to surrender to God's plan paves the way for the birth of John, a herald of peace and preparation for the Messiah's arrival.
The theme of peace echoes through the scripture, reaching its crescendo in John 14:27, where Jesus assures his disciples, "Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid." This promise of peace extends beyond the physical realm, encompassing a deep-seated serenity that transcends the turmoil of our external world. Just like my journey at a young age, I realized that peace is not without its challenges. We face internal battles against our own fears, insecurities, and the weight of the past hurts. External conflicts, such as the ongoing wars and the ever-present threats to our safety, further fuel our anxiety and longing for peace. Yet, amidst these trials, we must not lose sight of the promise that Jesus so graciously bestowed upon us. My involvement in youth ministry and the girl scouting movement during the struggles of my life is a testament of Jesus' light in my life.
Peace is not merely the absence of conflict; it is a state of being, a harmonious coexistence within ourselves and with the world around us. It is the ability to find solace in the face of adversity, to trust that God has a plan for our lives, and to radiate compassion and understanding towards others. Embracing peace requires a conscious effort to cultivate faith, hope, and healing in our lives. Faith provides the foundation for our belief in God's love and guidance, while hope fuels our resilience in the face of challenges. Healing, both internal and external, is essential for restoring harmony and balance to our lives.
As we prepare for Christmas, let us remember that true peace is not an external gift, but a gift we must cultivate within ourselves. By nurturing our faith, fostering hope, and embracing healing, we can become beacons of peace, illuminating the world with the radiant light of Christ's love.
Prayer
Dear Lord,
Thank you for the gift of peace that you have given us. Help us to cultivate this peace within our hearts and share it with others. May we be beacons of your light in a world often shrouded in darkness. May we be instruments of your love and compassion, and may we always seek to resolve conflict with empathy and understanding.
Through Christ our Lord,
Amen.
Gift for Jesus
As a small token of my appreciation, I would like to offer the following gift to the Baby Jesus:
A promise to be a peacemaker
I pledge to be a peacemaker in my words, actions, and thoughts. I will strive to create harmony and understanding wherever I go, and I will always seek to resolve conflict with compassion and empathy.
I invite you to join me in this commitment, and together, let us make the world a more peaceful and loving place.
Marie Abellar is a Catholic girl scout who is passionate about serving the Lord, her country and the young. She is inspired by the words of Pope Francis to "shine, listen, and be unafraid," she strives to live her life in accordance with these principles. She is committed to spreading the message of peace and love, and believes that we can all make a difference in the world one act of kindness at a time.
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