Many of us may have been influenced by cute or beautiful pictures of angels. However, angels are far from cute. When an angel appears, it can be a terrifying and majestic sight. We read in today's Gospel that Zechariah was overcome with fear and the angel said to him, "Zechariah, do not be afraid..."
We know that it is highly unlikely for an elderly woman to become pregnant and bear a child. We also know that when an angel appears, it is usually for an important message from God. In this case, the angel Gabriel appeared to Zechariah to give him some great news: his wife would bear him a son. Such words from an angel should not be taken lightly. Yet, Zechariah still doubted the angel's words. By doing so, Zechariah seems to have doubted God. As a result, Zechariah as the Gospel tells us, "was silenced and have no power of speech until this has happened."
When we receive such amazing and mind-boggling news from an angel, what do we do? Do we doubt even the words of an angel? Do we begin to think that perhaps our mind is playing tricks on us and what we are seeing is merely an illusion, what we are hearing is merely an imagination? Or do we trust the angel's words and trust God, just like Mary did when she said: "I am the handmaid of the Lord, let what you have said be done to me."?
No comments:
Post a Comment