A Dangerous Message – Read Luke 1:1-25
Contemplation
Zechariah and Elizabeth are getting old. They really want a baby but somehow, it just isn’t happening. Zechariah is an important man – although they live in the countryside, he serves as a priest in the Temple in Jerusalem. Every once in a while, he gets the chance to go to the great city to offer sacrifice in the Temple – the centre of Jewish worship then. One day, he and the other priests in his group are offering incense. I can smell it as it fills the air of the huge space around the high altar- the great table of sacrifice with corners standing up like horns, carrying the hopes and prayers of the people. I hear the chants as he and his group pray. Suddenly, there is … someone there. A voice, a feeling at the altar. I can feel the presence of God. Zechariah is a good man and feels it too. He is amazed – and frightened. The presence tells him their prayers have been heard and he and Elizabeth will have a baby! They will call him John and he will do wonderful things. Zechariah, even though he is scared, can’t believe the good news. The voice introduces himself as the angel, Gabriel. He leaves, saying that the proof of his words is that Zechariah won’t be able to talk until the boy is born. The other priests don’t know exactly what has happened but they see their friend changed – and silent. Sometime after he goes back to his home, Elizabeth is pregnant.
I talk to the people in the scene. I feel the warmth and the smells in the temple, hear the prayers. What does Gabriel’s coming feel like?
When have I felt God with me in ways I don’t quite understand.
How have I reacted?