A reflection on the Annunciation to Zechariah
In the name of God the Father, Christ Jesus His only begotten Son and the Holy Spirit, One True God. Amen
Dear brothers and sisters in Christ Jesus
The Christians around the world are gearing up for one their most important festivals which celebrates the birth of Jesus Christ in the manger in Bethlehem. The weeks prior to the Feast of the Nativity of Christ, the Churches around the world spend time in reading and understanding the Gospel portions surrounding this event and meditate upon these Bible portions.
Table of Contents
The Indian Orthodox Church, on its 3rd Sunday of the new liturgical calendar begins the preparations for celebrating the Feast of the Nativity of Jesus Christ by meditating upon the Annunciation of the birth of St. John the Baptist to Zechariah the priest, which is depicted such beautifully by St. Luke through his Gospel (Gospel of St. Luke 1:1-25).
To give a brief overview of the portion, the Gospel writer, Luke begins his Gospel by addressing Theophilus and expressing his intention to provide an orderly and accurate account of the events concerning Jesus. He emphasizes the thoroughness of his research and the reliability of the information he presents.
The Annunciation to Zechariah (Luke 1:5-25)
The main narrative of this passage focuses on the announcement of the birth of John the Baptist to Zechariah, a priest, and his wife Elizabeth. Despite their old age and Elizabeth’s barrenness, an angel appears to Zechariah while he is serving in the temple, announcing that they will have a son named John. This child, according to the angel, will be filled with the Holy Spirit from birth and will play a crucial role in preparing the way for the Messiah.
Zechariah’s Doubt and Temporary Muteness (Luke 1:18-25):
In response to the angel’s message, Zechariah expresses doubt about the possibility of his elderly wife bearing a child. As a consequence of his doubt, the angel informs Zechariah that he will be mute until the day the prophecy is fulfilled. Despite his initial disbelief, Zechariah later witnesses the fulfilment of the angel’s words when Elizabeth conceives.
Christian Perseverance with Love: Zechariah and Elizabeth’s Journey
In these beginning chapters of the Gospel, we find a God fearing and righteous couple who faced the seemingly insurmountable challenge of barrenness or being without a child. Their story unfolds as a testament to unwavering faith, the transformative power of divine intervention, and the ultimate fulfilment of God’s promises.
The passage introduces Zechariah, a priest serving in the temple, and his wife Elizabeth, of the lineage of Aaron. Despite their righteous and blameless life, the couple faced the heavy burden of barrenness, a situation that could have easily led to despair. They were quite advanced in their years and still they would pray and ask God for their most desired blessing – a blessing of a child.
It is truly unfathomable to comprehend the depth of pain that Zechariah and Elizabeth must have felt due to their barrenness, especially in a society that regarded children within marital life as a divine blessing. We can only imagine the countless unwanted comments, the social ridicule, and the ostracization they must have endured on account of their childlessness.
Trying to put ourselves in their shoes, we can never fully grasp the desire that must have burned within Zechariah from the early years of his marriage—to have a son who would follow in his footsteps, accompanying him to the Temple and being taught the ways of the priesthood to worship God on behalf of the people. Conversely, we can never truly understand the yearning that would have consumed Elizabeth’s heart—to have a child of her own after witnessing countless births, supporting and nurturing countless young mothers. She, too, would have longed to hold her own child in her arms.
Reflecting on their story, let us take a moment to examine our own lives and consider the immense emotional burden that comes with facing such a hardship. In today’s society, we may be more understanding of couples who are unable to bear children, acknowledging various life priorities or physiological factors that may contribute to their situation.
Thankfully, there exists today psychological, physiological, and spiritual support systems to assist couples facing the pain of barrenness. However, even with these resources available, many couples find it challenging to bear the weight of not having a child. As time passes and they grow older, the pain intensifies, often affecting their relationships and overall lives.
Yet, amidst their struggles, the lives of Zechariah and Elizabeth serve as a powerful example for all couples experiencing such a plight. Luke’s account describes them as righteous people, individuals who are in harmony with the commandments and ordinances of the Lord, faithful to both one another and to God.
Throughout their many years of marriage, they remained steadfast, compassionate, and loving toward each other, earnestly supporting one another through their shared pain. In today’s world, it is disheartening to witness families torn apart by the burden of childlessness, witnessing spouses placing blame upon each other for their situation. Many families, overwhelmed and withdrawn, attempt to disappear from society, desperate to conceal their perceived shortcomings. A disheartening number of couples turn to ungodly activities in a misguided attempt to mask their emptiness and pain, both internally and externally.
Yet, when we turn our gaze to Zechariah, where do we find him?
Faithful Amidst Barrenness: Zechariah and Elizabeth’s Steadfastness
We find him in the Temple, diligently fulfilling his priestly duties, praying for the people of Israel. In the midst of the community, he shares in their sins, intercedes on their behalf, and seeks forgiveness from God. Even in the face of their own deep longing, we find both Zechariah and Elizabeth faithfully engaged in communion with others.
In extending this attitude, it is likely that Elizabeth, as a daughter of the tribe of Levi, also emulated her husband’s example. She would have stood alongside her fellow women, providing solace, sharing their pains, and praying for them. Understanding the responsibilities of her husband, she would have wholeheartedly supported him in every aspect, striving to complement his role as a priest for God’s people.
Above all else, we find Zechariah and Elizabeth remaining faithful to God. Despite the seemingly insurmountable wait, well aware that their bodies were past the age of childbearing, they chose to unwaveringly wait for the fulfilment of their prayers. They held fast to the promises of the Lord, having faith that just as He had provided for Sarah in her old age and Hannah in her time of emptiness, He would also provide for them.
Even though they had waited many long years, their hearts remained steadfast in their faith, trusting in God’s divine plan. They found solace in knowing that sometimes, the blessings we seek require patience and unwavering belief. With each passing day, they continued to pray, seeking guidance, and finding comfort in the knowledge that God’s timing would bring forth the perfect answer to their fervent desires.
As the seasons changed and time carried on, they held onto hope, tending to their faith like a blossoming flower, nurturing it with unwavering dedication. Their journey was not without hardship, for waiting can test the strongest of spirits, but they found strength in their conviction that God’s timing is always perfect. And when the moment finally arrived, and their prayers were answered, they realized that the waiting had shaped them, preparing them for the very blessings they had longed for.
This beautiful story serves as a reminder that in times of waiting, we are not forgotten; we are being prepared, moulded, and shaped by a divine hand, all in accordance with God’s greater plan.
Prayer in Waiting: Zechariah and Elizabeth’s Perseverance
With this hope, we also find them persevering in prayer. In the age of digitization where we are able to get all our wants fulfilled at a flick of a button and where we are able to satiate our hunger with fast foods, it is quite difficult for us to wait for anything in our lives. We want all of our wants and desires fulfilled at the earliest. It is the same with our prayers as well.
Most often, our prayers are short-lived. We forget that prayer is a communication with God and it is how we can build up a living relationship with Him. For most parts, our prayers consist of only what we need in our lives at this instance. Once that need passes, our prayers also go into oblivion and we move onto our latest desires.
But what if we approached prayer differently? What if we saw prayer as not just a means to obtain our immediate wants, but as a way to seek God’s will and build a deeper connection with Him? When we see prayer as a sacred conversation with the divine, we begin to understand that it is more than just asking for things. It is about seeking guidance, finding strength, and growing in faith.
Many times, doubts in God’s miraculous providence and ability to work in our life hinder our prayer life as well. We tend to define our prayers in accordance with what we seek in our life, and rarely do we seek God’s will or purpose. We easily recite the Lord’s Prayer, where we say “Thy will be done,” but often deep down, we would rather have our own will fulfilled in our lives, rather than surrendering to God’s perfect plan.
In contrast, there are those who exemplify a life of constant prayer and communion with God. They patiently wait, seeking God’s providence and will to be fulfilled in their lives. They do not allow the barrenness in their life or the doubts of others to deter them from seeking God’s will and purpose. Their faithfulness and perseverance in prayer are a testament to their deep trust in God’s goodness and His ability to work in their lives.
As we journey through life, may we learn to approach prayer with a humble and open heart. May we strive to seek God’s will rather than our own desires. Let us remember that prayer is not just a list of requests or a transactional exchange, but a beautiful opportunity to grow in our relationship with God and align our hearts with His purpose for us. So let us pray with faith, trust, and joyful anticipation, knowing that God hears and answers our prayers according to His perfect will.
Building a Virtuous Life: A Call from St. Peter’s Epistle
Lastly, I would like to draw a conclusion to my thoughts through the Second Epistle of St. Peter, specifically focusing on 2 Peter 1:1-6. An epistle that is read along with the above Gospel portion (Luke 1:1-25) commemorating the Annunciation to Zachariah.
In this passage, St. Peter implores us, the believers who have obtained faith through the righteousness of our God and Saviour Jesus Christ, to go beyond mere faith and actively cultivate a virtuous life. He encourages us to make every effort to supplement our faith with virtue, knowledge, self-control, steadfastness, godliness, brotherly affection, and love.
Let’s dive deeper into these virtues that St. Peter mentions. Firstly, faith serves as the foundation, the bedrock upon which we build our spiritual journey. It is through faith that we establish a personal relationship with God and accept His grace and salvation. However, faith alone is not enough to sustain us; hence St. Peter urges us to supplement it with virtue.
Virtue encompasses moral excellence and righteousness. It is the embodiment of honour, integrity, and uprightness in our actions and character. By continually pursuing virtuous behaviour, we align ourselves with the divine and manifest God’s righteousness in our daily lives. It is through virtue that we exhibit Christ-like qualities and become a shining example to others.
Next, St. Peter emphasizes the importance of knowledge. Knowledge is not just about acquiring information; it refers to a deep understanding of God’s Word and His will. By immersing ourselves in Scripture and seeking wisdom, we develop a clearer comprehension of God’s purpose for our lives. This knowledge helps us discern truth from falsehood, enabling us to make godly choices in our thoughts, words, and deeds.
Self-control is another vital virtue that St. Peter highlights. It involves discipline and mastery over our desires and impulses. Through self-control, we learn to curb selfishness, resist temptation, and exhibit restraint in order to live a life that glorifies God. By practicing self-control, we align our passions with God’s will, allowing Him to guide our actions and decisions.
Steadfastness, or perseverance, is essential in our spiritual journey. It is the ability to remain resolute and unwavering in our faith, even amid trials and challenges. In a world filled with distractions and difficulties, steadfastness allows us to endure, trusting in God’s promises and relying on His strength. It is through steadfastness that our faith is tested, refined, and ultimately strengthened.
Godliness is a virtue that reflects our reverence and devotion to God. It is a deep-seated awe and fear of God that motivates us to live a life of holiness and obedience. Godliness involves surrendering our will to His, seeking His guidance, and allowing His transformative power to shape our character. By cultivating godliness, we imitate Christ and draw closer to God, reflecting His divine nature to those around us.
Brotherly affection, or brotherly love, emphasizes the importance of genuine care and concern for our fellow believers. It transcends mere friendship and extends to a deep bond of unity and solidarity within the body of Christ. By displaying brotherly affection, we empathize with one another, share in each other’s joys and sorrows, and support each other in times of need, reflecting the love that Christ has shown us.
Finally, St. Peter encapsulates all these virtues in the pinnacle of love. Love is the ultimate expression of God’s character and the essence of our faith. It is a selfless, sacrificial love, modelled after Christ’s love for us. Through love, we demonstrate kindness, compassion, forgiveness, and acceptance to both believers and non-believers alike. Love unifies and transforms hearts, and it bears witness to the transformative power of the Gospel.
Do we not find these virtues in the life of the righteous Zechariah and Elizabeth?
Conclusion
In conclusion, the narratives of Zechariah and Elizabeth, intertwined with the virtues outlined in St. Peter’s epistle, offer a profound tapestry of faith, perseverance, and virtue. Their journey, marked by the weight of barrenness, becomes a testament to the transformative power of unwavering trust in God’s timing. In a world where instant gratification often overshadows the beauty of patient prayer, their story serves as a beacon, guiding us to approach prayer as a sacred communion with the divine. Zechariah and Elizabeth, portrayed as righteous and faithful figures, stand as a reminder that waiting is not a sign of abandonment but a season of preparation orchestrated by a divine hand.
Furthermore, St. Peter’s call to supplement faith with virtue, knowledge, self-control, steadfastness, godliness, brotherly affection, and love resonates as a timeless guide for navigating life’s intricate journey. As we reflect on their exemplary lives, may we, like Zechariah and Elizabeth, embrace the virtues that St. Peter advocates, fostering a deeper connection with God and exemplifying Christ-like love to a world in need. The Feast of the Nativity becomes more than a commemoration; it becomes an invitation to live out these virtues, enriching our spiritual journey with purpose, resilience, and an unwavering commitment to God’s perfect will.
Your brother in Christ Jesus
Jobin George
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