Daily Scripture Reflection & Prayer: December 19, 2024

Date: Thursday of the 3rd Week of Advent

Scripture Text: 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."

Breaking the text open – background and summary:

The gospel reading for today provides for us an account from the Gospel of Luke of the Angel Gabriel’s appearance to Zechariah to proclaim to him that he and his wife would have a son in their old age. But Zechariah questioned Gabriel’s announcement, asking “How shall I know this?” In other words, he was asking what other proof he would get that this was true. For his doubt of the veracity of Gabriel’s words, of the LORD’s message, he was rendered speechless until the after the birth of his son.

Meditating on the text with personal questions:

Am I open to the LORD’s graces and gifts? Am I open to the LORD’s voice within me? Am I open to the LORD’s call to me that requires faith?

Praying:

LORD, Almighty Father, Beloved Son, Most Holy Spirit, always and everywhere You are. Your power and presence, manifestations of your love, surround us and surprise us. You hear our every prayer and know our every thought. Open us to your power and to your presence so that we might better grasp your love for us, your desire and will for us. Grow the faith, hope, and love that stirs within us in response to your power and presence. Grant that we may become all that You have created us to be, all that You call us to be, all that You have gifted us to be to your glory. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.