Today, in the Book of Judges, we hear of the birth of Samson, about how he is to be consecrated as a Nazarite. His uncut hair was a sign of that consecration to God. Samson was to be a sign of God’s love and salvation to his people. Samson prefigures John the Baptist, whom we hear of in the Gospel today and his role in becoming the one who prepares the way for the Savior, our Lord Jesus Christ. This connects us to our Gospel reading today, in which Zechariah, the father of John the Baptist, receives the announcement of the upcoming birth of his son by the Angel Gabriel. Zechariah was full of fear and disbelief at the proclamation from the angel; he was made mute by God for his disbelief. Compare the way Zechariah reacts to the way Mary accepted God’s will for her into her life.
Perhaps through the story of Zechariah today, we will be prompted to look at how we accept God’s will in our own lives, especially in the ways he calls us to serve in surprising and unexpected ways. God may call us in a way that we would never have chosen for ourselves from our own volition. We may want to flee or fight his will. But, can we open our hearts to listen and learn from God?
As we listen, wait, and prepare the way of the Lord in anticipation of Jesus’ birth in less than a week, may we see the different ways that God is acting in our lives. May we consecrate our lives and our actions to his glory, and may we prepare a place for Jesus in our hearts every day of our lives.
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