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.” // Luke 1:18-21
I could hear the sound of laughter coming from our family room. I walked over and saw my husband and daughter joking with each other and my boys at the table laughing at something. It was one of those moments when I’m struck by how blessed I am. Had I gone back in time and told that awkward teenager who didn’t fit in or that twenty-something who kept dating the wrong guys or that heartbroken newlywed who thought she couldn't have kids that one day this would be her life, I don’t think I would’ve believed it.
Perhaps that’s why I always felt sorry for Zechariah from today’s Gospel. There he was in the midst of a paramount, miraculous event in his life, and he ends up struck dumb. It seems unfair. In the past, I would compare the Angel Gabriel’s visit to Mary with Zechariah’s. Mary was blessed, but Zechariah was punished. Why?
Later, I came to understand that Mary believed the truth of Gabriel’s words and the miraculous power of God. Her questioning was in regards to how she would be fulfilling God’s word, not that she didn’t believe it. However, Zechariah doubted the Angel's words because he could only see the obstacles that made it humanly impossible. He was struck dumb, but God was faithful. Zechariah’s elderly wife became pregnant and bore the son who would proclaim the Messiah’s coming.
Thankfully, Zechariah redeemed himself when he communicated to a skeptical crowd that his son would not bear his name, but be called John, as God had instructed. His speech returned, and he prophesied and praised the goodness of God (see Luke 1:63-64).
How many times have we felt God's call, but lacked trust that He would provide? Or were inspired to do something good, but we let self-doubt stop us? During these last days of Advent, let’s spend some quiet time before God. What is He speaking to your heart? How can you better follow His will in your life?
Lord, open my heart to hear Your word and to act upon it, trusting in You always. Amen.
Follow His will. // @bobbi_rolClick to tweet
Bobbi Rol is a wife and mama living on the Monterey Bay in California with her husband, daughter (also a Blessed Is She writer), and three teen boys. When she is not driving her kids to school, practices, and games, she can be found by the ocean, catching a movie, or collecting journals and stationery. She was a contributing author to Gift: Study on the Eucharist, And Hay Became Holy, and our children’s devotional prayer book, Rise Up. Find out more about her at https://www.instagram.com/
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