Last December 19, 2015 (Saturday in the 3rd Week in Advent), the Gospel reading was about the story of the annuoncement of the birth of John the Baptist. After the Angel Gabriel told him of the good news, Zechariah, for some reason or another, did not believe the angel’s words. Hence, Gabriel told him:
“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.” (Luke 1:19-20)
Our parish priest Rev. Fr. Rodel Paulino, who presided over Mass that day, said that it was God’s way of telling Zechariah to stop talking and listen since he doesn’t seem to be understanding what God is telling him.
At certain times of our lives — particularly those moments when we do not understand what is going on or why — we too also need to be quiet and let God speak so we can listen. There are times when we become so distracted with what is happening in our lives that we no longer hear what God is telling us. We forget that God is in control and knows what is best for us.
With what is going on in my life right now, I will be the first to admit that this is a very difficult task. It is much easier to ask God “How can this happen when I have tried to do my best to be good?” rather than “Ok, Lord, I know this is happening for a reason, what is it that you are telling me and what do you want me to do?”. However, the second question is more proper and is the right question.
Ultimately of course, after we listen, our goal is to be like Mary and Jesus. If we combine Mary and Jesus’ responses to God, Mary during the Annunciation and Jesus while praying in the Garden of Gethsemane the night before His Passion, we can come up with the ultimate response: “Lord, I am Your servant, not my will, but Your will be done!”.