The Gospel today is very inspiring. It highlights the faithfulness of God to his promises and to the people. His kindness to them does not depend on their holiness or state in life, but part of his unchanging character. Timothy even noted it in his writing thus: “If we are unfaithful, he remains faithful, for he cannot deny himself” (2 Tim 2:13). Thus, faithfulness is part of the being of God. The Gospel today bears eloquent testimony of that in the lives of the couple Elizabeth and Zachariah, the parents of John the Baptist.
THE FIDELITY OF ELIZABETH AND ZACHARIAH
Elizabeth and Zachariah were well known in their community. They lived exemplary life before God and the people. They were faithful to each other in their married life but faced the stigma of childlessness. But that never moved them. They remained united in one bond of unbreakable union in their marriage. They never divorced but waited patiently unto the Lord without knowing exactly the Lord’s plan until the appointed time when the Lord decided to reveal his blessing to them through the Archangel Gabriel. He assured them of the gift of a baby boy.
Zachariah was surprised over the promise of the angel due to their age. But where he saw the barrier of age, God saw the opportunity to make a name for himself. This is because when God decides to act, he goes beyond barriers. For that doubt and wonder of Zachariah, God muted his power of speech until the promise is fulfilled to prove to him and indeed all of us that ‘with God, everything is possible’ (Mt 19: 26). We should never underestimate God’s love, care and faithfulness.
GOD’S FULFILMENT OF HIS PROMISE
The Scripture says that ‘God is not man that he should lie or has spoken and not fulfil it’ (cf Num 23:19-21). As the Lord had said, Elizabeth conceived and went through the hurdles of pregnancy like every other woman while Zachariah supported her while watching in amusement. And when the time came for Elizabeth to give birth as the gospel of today relates, she bore a son in fulfillment of God’s promise, and it became the breaking news to then “media”. The news spread rapidly over the towns and villages; and neighbours and relatives trooped out to share their joy and thank God for his blessings.
THE RESTORATION OF ZACHARIAH’S POWER OF SPEECH
The news of God’s blessings was still in the air until the eighth day and the naming ceremony according to tradition, and the Lord rocked another breaking news. He confirmed that the birth of John was not something ordinary but the fulfillment of his promise. And thus, the Lord silenced the gossip of childlessness about the family of Zachariah.
GOD’S WAY
God works in varied ways. We must be careful and learn not to judge and criticize others because of their challenges in life. No one is the ultimate controller of life but God. No one has the power to make a choice of his or her birth and future. It is all in God’s hands. What we need is to be faithful to him and to one another in our different commitments especially in marriage and family life. Fidelity in marriage is still beneficial for family unity, although it does not go without a challenge, as every other thing, but it has a higher reward as we can witness in the lives of Elizabeth and Zachariah. It is a great value that must not be trampled upon. Let us be faithful to one another and to God with whom everything is possible.
Merry Christmas to everyone!
