Readings
Ecclesiastes 3:1-11, Psalm 62, Luke 1:21-25 and Titus 3:4-8
"Meanwhile, the people were waiting for Zechariah and wondering why he stayed so long in the temple. When he came out, he could not speak to them. They realised he had seen a vision in the temple, for he kept making signs to them but remained unable to speak.
When his time of service was completed, he returned home. After this his wife Elizabeth became pregnant and for five months remained in seclusion. ‘The Lord has done this for me,’ she said. ‘In these days he has shown his favour and taken away my disgrace among the people.’
Luke 1:21-25
Luke 1:21-25
Reflection
Silence can speak a thousand words. Speechlessness can have such eloquence as we find in this encounter with Zechariah. Emerging from the sanctuary where he met with the Archangel Gabriel, he is confronted by a congregation who await a blessing. Unable to verbalise a blessing his inability to utter a word this benediction is momentous—for the good news is proclaimed without a sentence being uttered. At this time of year we remember the singing of Hallelujahs and Gloria’s of the angels . But what are we to make of this reading?
Are there times in our lives when silence is the most appropriate response? Silence that can testify to the goodness and glory of God.
Elizabeth’s thankful response is one of retreating for a period of seclusion. It is a time of quiet thankfulness - what a beautiful response. Elizabeth’s verbal response echoes Rachel’s discovery that she is carrying Joseph in Genesis 30:23 in that God has taken her disgrace away. (Childlessness being seen in those days as an interpretation of God’s disfavour). The Lord has done this for her and will do so much more. Praise be to God.
Prayer
I pray for those who find silence deafening and long for an answer to prayer in the most audible way.
Thank you God that you are not silent or remote from my plea. May I hear the whisper of your voice as I become more aware of your presence in my life.
From the humbleness of my life, help me to grow to hear your words that will change the world around me.
O come O Come Emmanuel. Amen
3 comments:
I love this - how I long for silence but then when i get wish someone would speak. Being alone can sometimes be so terrifying and I often wonder where God is in it but then in the fullness of time God reveals Godself, like he did with Elizabeth. Thank you for reminding us Jackie. These reflections are truly wonderful.
I agree I've been reading these reflections from down under and have been really inspired by your thoughtful meditations. Just looked up about New Song Church this sounds like a great idea. What gave you the idea for this? How do you fit it all in with your parish work? Do you sleep? God bless you - Sarah
Hi Sarah - thanks for your comments and for reasing the reflections. It is good to know people are doing so. Fitting it all in is hard but is helped by the most amazing team around at New Song and in the churches who are loving and compassionate. They respond and care. I do sleep albeit only a little and often during my own sermons....
The idea for new song came from wanting to incorporate all the loves for God, worship, people and cake - a winning combination and through this the network developed. We are excited about the future. Every blessing Jackie
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