Category Archives: Advent

When a person comes to us with an important message, some of us may think that the person is lying or joking. Not many of us would take the person’s word for it and some of us may brush it off as nonsense. But what if an angel of the Lord were to come and give us a message? Perhaps some of us would take heed of what the angel tells us, but not everyone would do so. One such person who did not entirely believe in the angel’s message was Zechariah. Poor Zechariah… He was an old man, and his wife Elizabeth too was getting old. Perhaps he was not fully aware of who he was talking to, perhaps he was quite taken aback by the message from the angel Gabriel and did not quite understand, comprehend or know what to make of such a startling message. After all, humanly speaking, Zechariah may have thought that it was impossible for old people to conceive. But as we now know from hindsight, angels don’t just simply come to you to have a chat. When they come with a message, it is not something to be taken lightly and is certainly no laughing matter, what more if the message is from the angel Gabriel. And because of his apparent hesitance in believing the message of the angel Gabriel, Zechariah ended up being silenced till John the Baptist was born.

In today’s Gospel, John the Baptist was born. A miracle had happened. Even old people could conceive, as nothing is impossible to God. When it came to naming the child, his mother insisted in naming him John. This prompted Zechariah with the opportunity to redeem himself, so to speak, by affirming and insisting that the child be named John. And when he did so, “his power of speech returned and he spoke and praised God.”

Sometimes our disbelief and doubts could get us into trouble, just as what had happened to Zechariah. Of course, this does not mean that we should start believing every Tom, Dick or Sally who comes to us with a message. But if we are aware of the presence of God’s angel coming to us with a message, let us not doubt or be hesitant, but believe and give thanks to God for the message given to us. And let us seriously take heed of the message, with trust and confidence in God’s providence.

For some of us, it may be difficult to let go of persons or things which are dear or significant to us. We try to hold on to such things or persons as much or as long as possible. This is especially apparent when it comes to certain persons who have been part of our lives for a long time. However, as with all things and persons here on earth, there comes a time when the person will need to leave. Even things that we own have got a lifespan and we would not be able to have them forever. But what should be our attitude be as Christians? Are we continuing to cling on, or are we willing to let go?

In today’s reading, Hannah had been granted a son whom she named Samuel. Naturally, as a mother, she would have been extremely grateful and happy to have had a son granted to her by God, after being unable to conceive for so long. However, Hannah had made a vow to offer her son to God should she conceive. She could have been hesitant or selfish, and keep Samuel with her, since it had been quite difficult for her to become a mother. But she chose to fulfil her vow when she said: “This is the child I prayed for, and the Lord granted me what I asked him. Now I make him over to the Lord for the whole of his life. He is made over to the Lord.” Hannah was willing to let go of the child she treasured, knowing and trusting in God’s providence.

What about us? If God were to ask us to let go of something, would we be able to do so? Are we willing to have confidence and trust in God like Hannah did? Let us always remember that we are merely pilgrims here on earth, and place our lives in God’s hands, knowing that He will care for us.

For some couples, a pregnancy is a joyful and hopeful experience. People enthusiastically and excitedly begin to make plans and preparations to welcome a new member of the family. Some people begin to make changes to their life style, hoping that their efforts would enable their newborn to be healthy and grow well. Advances in medicine have improved the mortality rate of foetuses and infants and the journey from pregnancy to birth has become less difficult or stressful for many.

However, not all couples are fortunate. Some, for some reason or another, have been found to be infertile. The word used in today’s reading and Gospel is “barren.” Nowadays, being barren in many societies is no longer a stigma or issue. People in these societies have moved on in their thinking and adoption is a possible and acceptable alternative. However, there are still some societies that view being barren as a great embarrassment or a punishment from the divine. Being barren in such societies was seen as grounds for a divorce (such societies usually put the blame on the woman), and in some cases, the woman was badly treated, shunned or became a source of ridicule and gossip. In some situations, to protect the family honour or to ensure a continuation of the family linage, the woman could be expelled from the house or even from the village; and the man is free and even encouraged to look for another wife.

In today’s reading, we come across Manoah and his wife who was barren. In today’s Gospel, we also come across Zechariah and his wife Elizabeth who was barren. Even though these couples had suffered much due to being barren; even though they suffered much embarrassment and were a source of gossip and ridicule; they chose to stayed on with each other, bore the burden together, and were faithful to each other. God did not abandon them and gave them a precious gift of two babies, Samson and John the Baptist, who later carried out great deeds for the greater glory of God.

If God can do wonders for these couples and cast away their shame, just imagine what He can do for us today. Let us not feel down or embarrassed but remain faithful and hopeful, knowing that God will help us and not abandon us.