Then Zechariah said to the angel, "How shall I know this? For I am an old man, and my wife is advanced in years." And the angel said to him in reply, "I am Gabriel, who stand before God. I was sent to speak to you and to announce to you this good news. But now you will be speechless and unable to talk until the day these things take place, because you did not believe my words, which will be fulfilled at their proper time." (Lk 1:5-25)
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/121923.cfm
The contrast between the two annunciation stories in Luke’s Gospel is profound. The striking contrast between the priest Zechariah who refuses to believe, and Mary the young woman of Nazareth who trusts “that the Lord’s words to her would be fulfilled” captures the heart. O Root of Jesse’s stem, sign of God’s love for all his people: come to save us without delay!
These reflections are a result of more than 40 years of ministry as a Roman Catholic priest. Most of these years I spent in the Diocese of Charlotte which covers Western North Carolina. Now I am retired, and live in Medellín, Colombia where I continue to serve as a priest in the Archdiocese of Medellín.
Tuesday, December 19, O ROOT OF JESSE
