John the Baptist is like Samson of the Old Testament.

We are all called and dedicated by virtue of our Baptism.

Through Baptism we have been grafted to the root (or stump) of Jesse!

The Nazarene, born in the city of David, Bethlehem, will become the king of Israel.

And so thus fulfill the promise of God to Jacob and Jesse.

 

＊＊＊ 1st Reading ＊＊＊

Judges 13:2-7, 24-25a

 

Ps 71:3-4a, 5-6ab, 16-17

My mouth shall be filled with your praise, and I will sing your glory!

  

＊＊＊ Gospel ＊＊＊    

Luke 1:5-25 

In the days of Herod,

king of Judea, there lived a priest named Zechariah, belonging to the priestly clan of Abiah. Elizabeth, Zechariah's wife, also belonged to a priestly family. Both of them were upright in the eyes of God, and lived blamelessly, in accordance with all the laws and commands of the Lord, but they had no child, Elizabeth could not have any and now they were both very old.

 

Now, while Zechariah and those with him were fulfilling their office, it fell to him by lot, according to the custom of the priests, to enter the Sanctuary of the Lord and burn incense. At the time of offering incense, all the people were praying outside; it was then, that an angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing on the right side of the altar of Incense.

 

On seeing the angel, Zechariah was deeply troubled and fear took hold of him. But the angel said to him, "Don't be afraid, Zechariah, be assured that your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son and you shall name him John. He will bring joy and gladness to you, and many will rejoice at his birth. This son of yours will be great in the eyes of the Lord.

 

Listen: he shall never drink wine or strong drink; but he will be filled with the Holy Spirit even from his mother's womb. Through him, many of the people of Israel will turn to the Lord their God. He, himself, will open the way to the Lord, with the spirit and power of the prophet Elijah; he will reconcile fathers and children; and lead the disobedient to wisdom and righteousness, in order to make ready a people prepared for the Lord."

 

Zechariah said to the angel, "How can I believe this? I am an old man and my wife is elderly, too." The angel replied, "I am Gabriel, who stands before God; and I am the one sent to speak to you, and to bring you this good news! My words will come true in their time. But you would not believe; and now, you will be silent and unable to speak until this has happened." Meanwhile, the people waited for Zechariah; and they were surprised that he delayed so long in the Sanctuary.

 

When he finally appeared, he could not speak to them; and they realized that he had seen a vision in the Sanctuary. He remained dumb and made signs to them. When his time of service was completed, Zechariah returned home; and, some time later, Elizabeth became pregnant. For five months she kept to herself, remaining at home, and thinking. "This, for me, is the Lord's doing! This is his time for mercy, and for taking away my public disgrace,"

 

 Gospel Reflection ：

"He will bring us home to him." 

The Bible includes many stories of miraculous births where men and women who believed that they were unable to bear children become parents by divine intervention. Today's readings announce two of these births, those of Samson and John the Baptist. Both sons were dedicated to the Lord from their births, set apart from the moment of their conceptions.

 

Zechariah reacts to Gabriel's announcement with doubt and questioning. Some people wonder how Zechariah could have questioned the angel, but I find it easy to understand, It's much easier for us to belleve bad things rather than good news. Too often we hear these bad things from the people closest to us so they hurt all the more. When we hear good things, we are afraid to hope and to trust that they are true. Perhaps we fear the disappointment if they are not.

 

But Advent is a season of hope, a season to believe that God has plans to give us a future full of hope and joy. God fulfilled his promise to save us by sending Christ. He will bring us home to him. We can trust that God will be faithful.