BLOGGING TOWARD SUNDAY…

Chapter one of Luke tells first the wonderful story of the announcement of the birth, not of Jesus, but of John the Baptist. Zechariah, an old priest, “getting up in years” as Luke delicately phrases it, is married to Elizabeth, who is barren. An angel appears to old Zechariah as he comes to burn incense in the temple, and announces that Zechariah’s prayers have been heard, and that Elizabeth will bear a son who will prepare the way of the Lord.

Zechariah is not only scared, but he also voices grave doubts about the possibility of this really happening. Gabriel does not take this kindly, and strikes Zechariah mute until “the day this happens, because you did not believe my words.” Imagine, a priest, a preacher, without words! And why?

One commentator (obviously with feminist leanings!) on this story pointed out that in the gospels, the first man who presumes to speak about a woman’s pregnancy is silenced (struck dumb!) by God.

There might be a lesson in there for us…. Blessings, sk

Filed under: Blogging Toward Sunday