SPIRITUAL LIVING
Prayer and Devotions
The Frightful Fulfillment of My Dreams
by Father Barry O’Toole, LC
Resolution: Today, open your heart to a fuller and more generous acceptance of God’s will, and do whatever he might be asking of you.
December 19, 2007
Wednesday of the third week of Advent
Luke 1: 5-25
“In the days of King Herod of Judea, there was a priest named Zechariah, who belonged to the priestly order of Abijah. His wife was a descendant of Aaron, and her name was Elizabeth. Both of them were righteous before God, living blamelessly according to all the commandments and regulations of the Lord. But they had no children, because Elizabeth was barren, and both were getting on in years. Once when he was serving as priest before God and his section was on duty, he was chosen by lot, according to the custom of the priesthood, to enter the sanctuary of the Lord and offer incense. Now at the time of the incense offering, the whole assembly of the people was praying outside. Then there appeared to him an angel of the Lord, standing at the right side of the altar of incense. When Zechariah saw him, he was terrified; and fear overwhelmed him. But the angel said to him, ‘Do not be afraid, Zechariah, for your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you will name him John. You will have joy and gladness, and many will rejoice at his birth, for he will be great in the sight of the Lord. He must never drink wine or strong drink; even before his birth he will be filled with the Holy Spirit. He will turn many of the people of Israel to the Lord their God. With the spirit and power of Elijah he will go before him, to turn the hearts of parents to their children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the righteous, to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.’ Zechariah said to the angel, ‘How will I know that this is so? For I am an old man, and my wife is getting on in years.’ The angel replied, ‘I am Gabriel. I stand in the presence of God, and I have been sent to speak to you and to bring you this good news. But now, because you did not believe my words, which will be fulfilled in their time, you will become mute, unable to speak, until the day these things occur.’ Meanwhile the people were waiting for Zechariah, and wondered at his delay in the sanctuary. When he did come out, he could not speak to them, and they realized that he had seen a vision in the sanctuary. He kept motioning to them and remained unable to speak. When his time of service was ended, he went to his home. After those days his wife Elizabeth conceived, and for five months she remained in seclusion. She said, ‘This is what the Lord has done for me when he looked favorably on me and took away the disgrace I have endured among my people.’”
Introductory Prayer: Lord, I believe that you are with me here as I humbly approach your throne. Aware of my lowliness and human weakness, I am almost afraid to enter your presence. I guess what I fear the most is what you might ask of me today. I want to love you, but sometimes my love is weak and I miss the mark: I get lost in my everyday troubles and difficulties.
Petition: Help me, Lord to open my heart more to accept your will in my life lovingly.
1. The Portrait of the Just Man Here we have two good, ordinary and holy people actively living their faith. Both Zechariah and Elizabeth descended from the priestly lineage of Israel. Zechariah actually served in the temple, observing all the Jewish customs. Advanced in age, they had resigned themselves to the reality that they would have no children. They thought they were fulfilling God’s will, living their lives in their small town without any further ambitions in life. If this is what God wanted of them, they were happy. Why complicate things? Have I also fallen into a certain complacency in the way I live my life? Do I go to church on Sunday, say my prayers before meals and before going to bed, and just live an honest life?
2. The Missing Carpet God comes in and shakes up everything. He catches Zechariah off balance, pulling the carpet from under his feet. He tells Zechariah that he is not living his mission to the full. God has greater plans for this family and asks Zechariah for more generosity, for a change in his plans. God offers this couple what they had always wanted, and instead of an outpouring of joy, suddenly God meets resistance and disbelief. It’s almost as if Zechariah is saying, “Look Lord, I’m happy with things as they are. Don’t rock the boat of my life.” Am I too afraid to take on a little bit of apostolate or social action in my parish or community because it will just complicate my already loaded schedule? Do I realize that an attitude such as this actually thwarts God’s plans for the eternal salvation of souls? Do I realize that God wants to save souls through my cooperation in his plan?
3. Take Your Time and Think It Over It is apparent that both Zechariah and Elizabeth needed to take some time, think things over and turn to prayer. God silenced Zechariah; Elizabeth went into seclusion. They needed time and prayer to be able to accept this new manifestation of God’s will in their lives. Perhaps I, too, need to follow their example as I am preparing for Christ’s coming this Christmas. Perhaps I need to slow down a little and try to see my life from God’s perspective. What is it that God wants of me? What can I do to live a life that is more pleasing to God? What can I do to be an instrument for the salvation of souls?
Conversation with Christ: Lord, I wonder if I have not given all of these considerations enough importance. Perhaps I have not really lived the vertical dimension of my Christian calling. Today, I place myself before you. I would like to ask you, “How do you see my life? Is it pleasing to you? Are you satisfied with my lifestyle? You have done so much for me; what do you want me to do for you?”
Resolution: Today, I will try to open my heart to a fuller and more generous acceptance of God’s will, whatever he might be asking of me.
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