Luke 1:57-68
The reading from Luke first appeared to be a a simple, straightforward story of the celebration of John the Baptist's birth, with the interesting piece surrounding the confusion that the baby was not given a family name, and the lifting of Zechariah's silence when he confirmed the baby would be named John. But, in reading the verses leading up to the birth story, the message of God's faithfulness in supplying His chosen people with whatever they need to walk the road ahead of them broke through with stunning clarity. Here is how I came to that conclusion.
The journey begins when Zechariah "just happens to be" the priest chosen to enter the Temple sanctuary to burn incense & to offer prayers on the very day Gabriel appeared to tell him that God was going to answer two prayers - the personal prayer of Zechariah & Elizabeth to have a child, and the nation's prayer for the Messiah to come. In speaking of the child, Gabriel said he would be filled with the Spirit before he was born. Coming face to face with an angel would probably overwhelm the best of us, but Zechariah stays conscious & conversational, questioning how he & Elizabeth could have a child in their old age. At this point, Gabriel tells Zechariah that God's message will be fulfilled but, because of his disbelief, Zechariah would not be able to speak until the baby was born.
The story continues with Elizabeth being filled with the Holy Spirit when she heard Mary's voice, and with Elizabeth professing that Mary's child was the Lord.
Then we reach the story in today's Gospel. Those gathered to celebrate the birth of John were confused that the baby was not given a family name. When they gesture their concern to Zechariah, he writes down for them that the baby's name is John. At that moment, his silence is lifted and he is filled with the Holy Spirit. Zechariah then goes on to voice his praise for the God of Israel.
Three mentions of individuals being filled with the Holy Spirit - John, Elizabeth and Zechariah. Why? Then, I realized the story was being told from the parents' viewpoint. These parents, and this child, were going to walk some terrifying roads in the years ahead. Knowing that John was to be the "new Elijah" pointing people to the promised Messiah was wonderful news, but that road was not going to be paved and smooth. There would be much to suffer. God knew these three souls would need the presence of a comforter to face the challenges set before them. He didn't make them wait until Pentecost to receive the Holy Spirit. He filled them with the Holy Spirit at the very beginning of the journey when things were joyful, and filled with the awe of the promised Messiah's soon arrival. That same Holy Spirit would be there to sustain them every moment of their lives - in joy and in sorrow. 'There are not words to describe a parent's emotions when a child is suffering. Only God knows. He knew this when Elizabeth & Zechariah lived, and He knows it now.
I find hope in this story of John's birth that, whenever life becomes challenging beyond my ability to understand it, the Comforter is already with me.
(Ruth Webb)
The reading from Luke first appeared to be a a simple, straightforward story of the celebration of John the Baptist's birth, with the interesting piece surrounding the confusion that the baby was not given a family name, and the lifting of Zechariah's silence when he confirmed the baby would be named John. But, in reading the verses leading up to the birth story, the message of God's faithfulness in supplying His chosen people with whatever they need to walk the road ahead of them broke through with stunning clarity. Here is how I came to that conclusion.
The journey begins when Zechariah "just happens to be" the priest chosen to enter the Temple sanctuary to burn incense & to offer prayers on the very day Gabriel appeared to tell him that God was going to answer two prayers - the personal prayer of Zechariah & Elizabeth to have a child, and the nation's prayer for the Messiah to come. In speaking of the child, Gabriel said he would be filled with the Spirit before he was born. Coming face to face with an angel would probably overwhelm the best of us, but Zechariah stays conscious & conversational, questioning how he & Elizabeth could have a child in their old age. At this point, Gabriel tells Zechariah that God's message will be fulfilled but, because of his disbelief, Zechariah would not be able to speak until the baby was born.
The story continues with Elizabeth being filled with the Holy Spirit when she heard Mary's voice, and with Elizabeth professing that Mary's child was the Lord.
Then we reach the story in today's Gospel. Those gathered to celebrate the birth of John were confused that the baby was not given a family name. When they gesture their concern to Zechariah, he writes down for them that the baby's name is John. At that moment, his silence is lifted and he is filled with the Holy Spirit. Zechariah then goes on to voice his praise for the God of Israel.
Three mentions of individuals being filled with the Holy Spirit - John, Elizabeth and Zechariah. Why? Then, I realized the story was being told from the parents' viewpoint. These parents, and this child, were going to walk some terrifying roads in the years ahead. Knowing that John was to be the "new Elijah" pointing people to the promised Messiah was wonderful news, but that road was not going to be paved and smooth. There would be much to suffer. God knew these three souls would need the presence of a comforter to face the challenges set before them. He didn't make them wait until Pentecost to receive the Holy Spirit. He filled them with the Holy Spirit at the very beginning of the journey when things were joyful, and filled with the awe of the promised Messiah's soon arrival. That same Holy Spirit would be there to sustain them every moment of their lives - in joy and in sorrow. 'There are not words to describe a parent's emotions when a child is suffering. Only God knows. He knew this when Elizabeth & Zechariah lived, and He knows it now.
I find hope in this story of John's birth that, whenever life becomes challenging beyond my ability to understand it, the Comforter is already with me.
(Ruth Webb)
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