Daily Readings - Tue Dec 19 2017
Judges
2A certain man of Zorah, named Manoah, from the clan of the Danites, had a wife who was sterile and remained childless.3The angel of the LORD appeared to her and said, "You are sterile and childless, but you are going to conceive and have a son.4Now see to it that you drink no wine or other fermented drink and that you do not eat anything unclean,5because you will conceive and give birth to a son. No razor may be used on his head, because the boy is to be a Nazirite, set apart to God from birth, and he will begin the deliverance of Israel from the hands of the Philistines."6Then the woman went to her husband and told him, "A man of God came to me. He looked like an angel of God, very awesome. I didn't ask him where he came from, and he didn't tell me his name.7But he said to me, 'You will conceive and give birth to a son. Now then, drink no wine or other fermented drink and do not eat anything unclean, because the boy will be a Nazirite of God from birth until the day of his death.'"24The woman gave birth to a boy and named him Samson. He grew and the LORD blessed him,25and the Spirit of the LORD began to stir him while he was in Mahaneh Dan, between Zorah and Eshtaol.
Luke
5In the time of Herod king of Judea there was a priest named Zechariah, who belonged to the priestly division of Abijah; his wife Elizabeth was also a descendant of Aaron.6Both of them were upright in the sight of God, observing all the Lord's commandments and regulations blamelessly.7But they had no children, because Elizabeth was barren; and they were both well along in years.8Once when Zechariah's division was on duty and he was serving as priest before God,9he was chosen by lot, according to the custom of the priesthood, to go into the temple of the Lord and burn incense.10And when the time for the burning of incense came, all the assembled worshipers were praying outside.11Then an angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing at the right side of the altar of incense.12When Zechariah saw him, he was startled and was gripped with fear.13But 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 give him the name John.14He will be a joy and delight to you, and many will rejoice because of his birth,15for 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 from birth.16Many of the people of Israel will he bring back to the Lord their God.17And he will go on before the Lord, in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the fathers to their children and the disobedient to the wisdom of the righteous--to make ready a people prepared for the Lord."18Zechariah asked the angel, "How can I be sure of this? I am an old man and my wife is well along in years."19The angel answered, "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.20And 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 proper time."21Meanwhile, the people were waiting for Zechariah and wondering why he stayed so long in the temple.22When he came out, he could not speak to them. They realized he had seen a vision in the temple, for he kept making signs to them but remained unable to speak.23When his time of service was completed, he returned home.24After this his wife Elizabeth became pregnant and for five months remained in seclusion.25"The Lord has done this for me," she said. "In these days he has shown his favor and taken away my disgrace among the people."
Sermon
In today's readings, we encounter two profound stories of divine intervention, where God announces the births of Samson and John the Baptist through angelic messengers. Both narratives share a common theme: God's ability to bring life and purpose into seemingly impossible circumstances. In Judges, an angel appears to the barren wife of Manoah, promising the birth of Samson, who will deliver Israel from oppression. Similarly, in Luke, the angel Gabriel announces to Zechariah that his wife Elizabeth will bear John, the forerunner of the Messiah. These stories highlight God's penchant for using unexpected and humble beginnings to fulfill His grand plans.
The context of these readings is deeply rooted in the historical and theological landscapes of their times. For the Israelites, Samson's birth comes during a period of oppression, signaling hope for deliverance. His role as a Nazirite, dedicated to God from birth, underscores the sacred mission he is destined to fulfill. In the Gospel of Luke, John the Baptist's birth marks the beginning of the fulfillment of God's promise of redemption. John's role, as one who will "prepare the way for the Lord," is pivotal in the narrative leading to Jesus Christ. Both stories emphasize God's initiative in breaking into human history to bring about salvation.
These readings beautifully illustrate how God's plans often unfold in unexpected ways. Both Samson and John are born to barren women, a testament to God's power to overcome human limitations. The presence of angels in both narratives serves as a reminder of God's direct involvement in human affairs. Samson's strength and John's prophetic voice are not mere human achievements but are divinely ordained. This relationship between the readings underscores the consistent theme of God's faithfulness and His ability to use any circumstance to achieve His will.
In our daily lives, these stories invite us to trust in God's plan, even when our circumstances seem impossible or unclear. They remind us that our limitations are not barriers to God's work. Just as He chose barren women to bear significant figures, He can use our challenges to bring about something extraordinary. The moral lesson here is one of faith and obedience. Like the mothers of Samson and John, we are called to trust in God's timing and promises, even when they seem beyond our understanding.
In reflecting on these readings, we are encouraged to embrace a deeper faith in God's providence. They teach us that our lives are part of a larger narrative, one that God is continually writing. As we face our own challenges and doubts, may we find courage in these stories, trusting that God's plan is always at work, even in the most unexpected ways. Let us, like these biblical figures, respond with faith and obedience, knowing that God's promises are always fulfilled in His perfect time.