Tuesday of the 3rd week of Advent year B
Judges 13: 2-7.24-25a Luke 1:5-25
Theme: What God cannot do…
The two readings we have today, presents to us how the Angel appeared to the parents of two great men in the Bible, whose mothers were referred to as barren. In the 1st reading, we see the message of the Angel to the mother of Samson about his birth, a woman that was already referred to as barren. In the gospel reading, we also see how the Angel visited Zachariah while he was in the Temple and gave him the message about the birth of John the Baptist. We were told that Zachariah and the wife Elizabeth were well off in age, an assertion that points to the fact that the possibility of childbearing is almost impossible.
In both situations, God proved himself to be all powerful. He changed the narratives of their lives, and gave them children that was worth all the wait. Their waiting for a child, was not useless, because both Samson and John the Baptist were great men, and the church continues to celebrate them from generation to generation. Like it is said, “what God cannot do does not exist”. Things have not changed, even in our own time. The season of Advent is a season of waiting and preparation for the coming of Christ. Why not trust in God and continue to look up to him in faith, you never know, it could just be your turn to experience the miracle of God. He has not changed; he is still doing it in our own time.
It is obvious from both the 1st reading from the Book of Judges and in the Gospel from St. Luke, that the two families did not give up, but continued to pray and trust in God. In the gospel reading, the parents of John the Baptist were referred to as righteous people, so their situation had nothing to do with sin, just that the appointed time has not yet come until now. So, God rewards our faithfulness to him, just that you must be patient with him and remain steadfast, he will answer your prayers when the time comes. He never fails or disappoints all those who trust him, he cannot begin it with you. Loosing hope because of your present situation should never be an option because God is not done with you. May almighty God grant you the grace to wait patiently for him in the name of the father and of the son and of the holy spirit, Amen. Peace be with you.