Reflections – Page 2196 – Breaking the Word

19.12.11 IN HIS HANDS

Posted under Reflections on December 18th, 2011 by

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…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." (Lk 1:5-25)

God does his work with detailed preparation and exact execution. Nothing needs explanation and man only stands in wonder at the happenings. Man is given explanations and proofs but man should have a bit of faith to see God active in history and nature and in the events of the days. God reveals his designs in the daily, normal happenings of the events.

Here, the scene is set. Herod was the king and Zechariah was ministering at the altar of the Lord. He was a righteous man so also was his wife. Everything goes well except for one thing. This is how the needed situation is highlighted. When everything around a person is perfect except for one thing then that becomes more visible. Also no situation will be perfectly correct for anyone on earth which does not need God intervention.

God’s action is planned and it happens at the right time. As it is said God does ‘at a time when he has seen fit to take away my disgrace before others’ (Lk 1:25). God executes his activities at a time when he finds it fit for us. It is like saying we search for Him and He will find us. We have our disgrace, suffering, pain etc. but he will deal with it at His time and at His will.

18.12.11 VIRGIN

Posted under Reflections on December 17th, 2011 by

In the sixth month, the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a town of Galilee called Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed to a man named Joseph, of the house of David, and the virgin's name was Mary. And coming to her, he said, "Hail, favoured one! The Lord is with you." …for nothing will be impossible for God." Mary said, "Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord. May it be done to me according to your word." Then the angel departed from her. (Lk1:26-38)

The picture presents divine action in human situation. Divine does not act independent of creation. History and nature are the arena where God works. Creation itself is the work of God and He continues His work among his own creation. He does not work from outside but rather from within: right from inside the history and creation.

The author who believed in the above understanding presents the angel Gabriel from God but comes down to a human situation: he comes to a land (Galilee); he comes to a place (Nazareth); he comes to a person (Mary) and she belongs to a man (Joseph) and a tribe (David). All these information go to show that the divine action takes place in a purely historical, social, and earthy context.

But she was a virgin. Divine action has a specificity; an exception. This is where the divine action has a meaning and relevance and a purpose. Divine actions have many exceptions which go unnoticed but understood and accepted (Elizabeth). This only goes to show that there could be other exceptions which should be accepted and which are possible only to God (nothing will be impossible to God).