Daily Readings - Thu Dec 19 2019
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 remarkable stories of divine intervention and the fulfillment of God’s promises in the lives of two barren women. In the first reading, from the Book of Judges, we meet Manoah and his wife, who are childless until an angel of the Lord appears to her, announcing that she will bear a son, Samson, who will be dedicated to God as a Nazirite. This child will grow up to deliver Israel from the Philistines. Similarly, in the Gospel, we hear the story of Zechariah and Elizabeth, who are also without children in their old age. The angel Gabriel appears to Zechariah, announcing that Elizabeth will bear a son, John, who will be filled with the Holy Spirit from his mother’s womb and prepare the way for the Lord.
Both stories share a common theme: God’s power to bring life out of barrenness and His plan to use these children for extraordinary purposes. In each case, the angelic announcements come with specific instructions—Samson is to be a Nazirite, and John is to live a life of abstinence and be filled with the Spirit. These details highlight the importance of setting apart individuals for God’s work. The readings also emphasize the role of faith and trust in God’s plan, even when circumstances seem impossible. Zechariah’s initial doubt, for example, contrasts with the unwavering faith of Manoah’s wife, who humbly accepts God’s will.
These stories invite us to reflect on our own lives. Like Manoah’s wife and Elizabeth, we may face challenges or feel limited by our circumstances. Yet, the readings remind us that God can bring forth life and purpose even in the most unexpected ways. Just as Samson and John were set apart for God’s work, we too are called to live lives dedicated to His will. Let us ask ourselves: Are we open to God’s plan for us? Are we willing to trust in His timing and purpose, even when it seems unclear? May these readings inspire us to surrender to God’s will, knowing that He can do great things through us, just as He did through Samson and John.