“They both lived good lives in God’s sight and obeyed fully all the Lord’s laws and commandments.” (Lk 1:6)

“They both lived good lives in God’s sight and obeyed fully all the Lord’s laws and commandments.” (Lk 1:6)

Today’s Passage: Lk 1:5-25

Meditation: Our waiting for Christmas is coming to an end in the coming few days. In these days of immediate preparation God is asking us whether our preparation and waiting are fruitful or not? But, how do we know it? Our mother holy church puts before again another norm through the models of Zachariah and Elizabeth. Today’s reflection on this particular verse really calls for a radical Christian life. Let the Holy Spirit lead you and me to the fullness of truth.

‘Zachariah and Elizabeth had no children because Elizabeth could not have any, and she and Zachariah were both very old.’ (Lk 1:7) A description may give us first the impression of a couple who are completely hopeless and desperate; old and barren people. But Luke gives us another picture of them as to their hope that “They both lived good lives in God’s sight and obeyed fully all the Lord’s laws and commandments.” (Lk 1:8)

 Here lies our focus of today’s reflection. Though it is true that they were waiting for a long time and now they are quite old, still they are waiting patiently and expectantly a child. It is quite amazing! Despite the fact that their prayers are not heard, they lived good lives in God’s sight and obeyed God’s precepts. It is the real faith and hope in Him who cares for us all through our lives; in both joys and sorrows. Let our waiting also be fruitful and blessed.

It was the same hope we find in the beautiful prayer of Habakkuk, “For though the fig tree blossom not, nor fruit be on the vines, though the yield of the olive fail, and the terraces produce no nourishment, though the flocks disappear from the fold and there be no herd in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the Lord and exult in my saving God. God, my Lord is my strength.” (Hab 3:17-19) In all my expectations and waiting, God alone is my hope and salvation.

         

Prayer: Lord God, we thank you and praise you for your daily eternal bread. Lord, in our daily lives we also come across with different realities of disasters, failures, confusions etc. Sometimes we also feel that our prayers and petitions are not heard or God has turned his face from us. However, the lives of Zachariah and Elizabeth today encourage us to be hopeful in the promises of God. We pray for all those who have lost hope in their lives due to different reasons. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen!

Greetings: God is with you! Have a nice and blissful Friday…