Luke 1:8-20

8 Once when Zechariah’s division was on duty and he was serving as priest before God, 9 he was chosen by lot, according to the custom of the priesthood, to go into the temple of the Lord and burn incense. 10 And when the time for the burning of incense came, all the assembled worshipers were praying outside.

11 Then an angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing at the right side of the altar of incense. 12 When Zechariah saw him, he was startled and was gripped with fear. 13 But the angel said to him: “Do not be afraid, Zechariah; your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you are to call him John. 14 He will be a joy and delight to you, and many will rejoice because of his birth, 15 for he will be great in the sight of the Lord. He is never to take wine or other fermented drink, and he will be filled with the Holy Spirit even before he is born. 16 He will bring back many of the people of Israel to the Lord their God. 17 And he will go on before the Lord, in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the parents to their children and the disobedient to the wisdom of the righteous—to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.”

18 Zechariah asked the angel, “How can I be sure of this? I am an old man and my wife is well along in years.”

19 The angel said to him, “I am Gabriel. I stand in the presence of God, and I have been sent to speak to you and to tell you this good news. 20 And now you will be silent and not able to speak until the day this happens, because you did not believe my words, which will come true at their appointed time.”

Reflect.

Zechariah was chosen by lot to offer incense in the temple. What tasks seem to have fallen to you within your community of faith? How do you feel about those tasks? Are they joys or merely responsibilities?

Response.

Imagine what it would be like to be surprised by an angel as the people of God were praying just outside your door. About what dream or situation would you ask the angel for guidance?

Response.

The angel told Zechariah that the child John would be born in spite of Zechariah’s unbelief. Have you ever doubted that a promise of God’s would be kept and then been surprised by God’s faithfulness? When has God been more faithful to you than you were able to be in return?

Response.

What messages or promises from God are you treasuring and seeing come true in your life?

Rest.

Sit in God’s presence and consider your role in your community of faith. Feel God’s gratitude for the ‘ ways you are faithful. Be open to what God may show you about future roles as well as current ones. 

Pray a breath prayer.

For a breath prayer until your next time of reflection, consider praying, “Faithful God, make me faithful.”

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