+(Intro) We are all being called into the mystery of Christ’s dying and rising as is clearly the case right now with our Br Conrad. So, as we begin this Eucharist, let us be mindful of our sins, those times when we fail to enter into this mystery.
(After the gospel) Both in our first reading from the book of Judges and then from our gospel we have two married couples unable to bear children. God often takes us into circumstances where our human resources may fail so that we may experience the power of God.
Zechariah’s response to the angel is more out of his head than from his heart, his saying: “How shall I know this? For I am an old man and my wife is advanced in years.” The faith the angel was expecting and looking for, comes from the heart. In the annunciation to the wife of Manoah and certainly in the annunciation to Mary, the angel received trust from them to conceive. And as we heard, the son of Manoah was thereupon blessed and the Spirit of the Lord stirred him.
So, it is with our own lives when we respond in faith and trust, God making us ever more fruitful in the service of the people of God. Nothing so pleases our heavenly Father as when our lives reflect that of his Beloved Son through our faith, hope and love.
Judg 13:2-7, 24-25a; Luke 1:5-25