God’s Word and Do I Hear It?

Reading 1 Jgs 13:2-7, 24-25a

There was a certain man from Zorah, of the clan of the Danites,

whose name was Manoah.

His wife was barren and had borne no children.

An angel of the LORD appeared to the woman and said to her,

"Though you are barren and have had no children,

yet you will conceive and bear a son.

Now, then, be careful to take no wine or strong drink

and to eat nothing unclean.

As for the son you will conceive and bear,

no razor shall touch his head,

for this boy is to be consecrated to God from the womb.

It is he who will begin the deliverance of Israel

from the power of the Philistines."

The woman went and told her husband,

"A man of God came to me;

he had the appearance of an angel of God, terrible indeed.

I did not ask him where he came from, nor did he tell me his name.

But he said to me,

'You will be with child and will bear a son.

So take neither wine nor strong drink, and eat nothing unclean.

For the boy shall be consecrated to God from the womb,

until the day of his death.'"

The woman bore a son and named him Samson.

The boy grew up and the LORD blessed him;

the Spirit of the LORD stirred him.

I find it interesting that in reading my Bible, how often I find God giving sons to women with barren wombs. Not just children but specifically sons, and that they usually have great futures to behold. God again and again gives to women who feel that they have missed out and most would consider hopeless. God gives sons to women who are probably mocked or pitied for their situation. Yet our God is a God of mercy and love. He is a God of abundance gifts. I know that some do not see this, many feel God is harsh and is a ruler that is fond of saying no to fun and pleasure. True God has rules, but I see them as caring rules for safety health and long life much like I have rules in my house that ban running indoors so that my children do not incur serious injury. Another thing that is noteworthy for me here is the fact that God brings Samson into being knowing how he will live his life, how he will fall from grace, but yet will still fulfill is duty in bringing down the Philistines. I think of Anikan Skywalker in the Star Wars films who is seen to bring balance to the “force”, which he does after becoming his evil alter-ego Darth Vader. It makes me wonder about my own path and if my short comings are a part of my journey that God has already accounted for or if they are mistakes that he will help me walk back from if I only accept his grace.

Gospel Lk 1:5-25

In the days of Herod, King of Judea,

there was a priest named Zechariah

of the priestly division of Abijah;

his wife was from the daughters of Aaron,

and her name was Elizabeth.

Both were righteous in the eyes of God,

observing all the commandments

and ordinances of the Lord blamelessly.

But they had no child, because Elizabeth was barren

and both were advanced in years.

Once when he was serving as priest

in his division's turn before God,

according to the practice of the priestly service,

he was chosen by lot

to enter the sanctuary of the Lord to burn incense.

Then, when the whole assembly of the people was praying outside

at the hour of the incense offering,

the angel of the Lord appeared to him,

standing at the right of the altar of incense.

Zechariah was troubled by what he saw, and fear came upon him.

But the angel said to him, "Do not be afraid, Zechariah,

because your prayer has been heard.

Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son,

and you shall name him John.

And 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 will drink neither wine nor strong drink.

He will be filled with the Holy Spirit even from his mother's womb,

and he will turn many of the children of Israel

to the Lord their God.

He will go before him in the spirit and power of Elijah

to turn the hearts of fathers toward children

and the disobedient to the understanding of the righteous,

to prepare a people fit for the Lord."

Then Zechariah said to the angel,

"How shall I know this?

For I am an old man, and my wife is advanced in years."

And the angel said to him in reply,

"I am Gabriel, who stand before God.

I was sent to speak to you and to announce to you this good news.

But now you will be speechless and unable to talk

until the day these things take place,

because you did not believe my words,

which will be fulfilled at their proper time."

Meanwhile the people were waiting for Zechariah

and were amazed that he stayed so long in the sanctuary.

But when he came out, he was unable to speak to them,

and they realized that he had seen a vision in the sanctuary.

He was gesturing to them but remained mute.

Then, when his days of ministry were completed, he went home.

After this time his wife Elizabeth conceived,

and she went into seclusion for five months, saying,

"So has the Lord done for me at a time when he has seen fit

to take away my disgrace before others."

It’s amazing what God’s word can do. Here a message comes to Zechariah and reacts probably the same way many men would, in disbelief. I find it interesting thought that God takes his voice and only returns it at the paramount moment in which Zechariah verifies his son’s name as John. In these two readings not only does God’s word and message ring so powerful, but also I find it interesting how he will use women of unfortunate circumstance and men of weak faith or character to fulfill great tasks. As I have heard many times before God doesn’t use the greatest but the willing and faithful no matter how broken they are.

So here’s a poem that maybe I will one day turn into a song. It’s about reflecting on the power of God’s word, how it misunderstood and the love behind it if we/I choose to accept it.

“Your Word”

You made the mountains

You made the seas

Your words condemn a man

Or set another free

The world keeps spinning

For you tell it to

The fire keeps on burning

You’re the flame from above

Some don’t believe

For others it’s so hard

For the world says you don’t exist

The world has many scarred

Some are blinded by the lies

All are broken to their core

All need you to be whole

Your love is antidote to all

Your word is truth and true

Your word is law and land

Your word is everything in this world

Your word is my command

If I ever doubt you

Please don’t condemn my soul

Have patience with your feeble servant

As I walk your lands

Help me to accept

Help me now to see

Help me, send me send your grace

So your word is received

Help me now to live

Help me live your word

Help me live to your will

Help me to evolve