Judges 13:2-7.24-25a,
Psalm 71:3-4a.5-6ab,
Luke 1:5-25 Full Readings
Blessed Pope Urban VJohn the Baptist, Preparer of Jesus Coming
With this reading from Luke we begin a continuous series of Lukan readings which will carry us right up to Christmas Eve, enabling us to share in the experiences which prepared for the birth of Jesus.
The story of the annunciation of a son to Zechariah is paired with the first reading of the angelic promise to Samson’s father. Each birth was by the special intervention of God, for Samson’s mother was barren, just as were John the Baptist’s parents. Both sons will be dedicated to God by the vows of a Nazirite. Here that comparison just about ends, for Samson was more of a ruffian than a messenger of the Word of God – except in so far as his exploits showed the power of God.
A more rewarding parallel is between the annunciation to Zechariah and that to Mary. These are the first of the junctures of man and woman which Luke gives us. He is determined to show us the equality of the sexes. If a man loses his precious sheep, a woman loses her precious coin. If Jairus’ daughter is raised to life, so is the dead son of the Widow of Naim.
More specifically, the comparison between Zechariah and Mary is for the sake of the comparison of John and Jesus. There are the two annunciations, the two births, the two Canticles, the two circumcisions and glimpses of the two flourishing childhoods. The families intertwine on occasion, as at the Visitation. On each occasion the story of John is wonderful, but only to be trumped by the story of Jesus, which is more wonderful still. So John will be great in the sight of the Lord, but Jesus will be simply great – without qualification – and will reign on the throne of David for ever. At the birth of John there is great joy of all the neighbours, while at the birth of Jesus there is great joy and singing in heaven.
The greatest difference of all, of course, is that while Zechariah is struck deaf and dumb for questioning the message, Mary is reassured that she will henceforth be called ‘Blessed among women.’
Reflect today on the wonderful miracles that God did in the lives of the wife of Manoah who was barren for long but God gave her a child as He did to Elizabeth, the wife of Zechariah. God can also change your situation like that if you trust in him. Reflect also on the lack of faith in God like that of Zechariah. Do you sometimes find that you don't trust that God can make what seems to be impossible possible? Pray for the gift of faith today.
Today we continue to reflect on the O Antiphons which reveal to us who Jesus, the one who is coming to us on Christmas, is. Today's Antiphon, 19th December 2020 is:
O Root of Jesse’s stem, sign of God’s love for all his people: come to save us without delay!
Let us Pray
Continue to arouse in us O Lord, the desire and hope for the one who is to come. Make our minds and souls pure that we may be worthy to welcome the saviour in our hearts and be transformed by him. Amen
Be blessed
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