You Did Not Believe My Words

Beads of Joy 12-19-09

You Did Not Believe My Words
©2009 James Dacey, Jr. SFO

Hello Everyone,

Advent is a most remarkable season in our faith. It is a time for us to renew our faith, our hope and our confidence in our Lord. Today we are reading Luke 1:5-25 (The Announcement of the Birth of John). Gabriel stands in Gods presence and speaks to Zechariah on behalf of God; scripture has taught us that if a messenger is sent to us, especially if it's Gabriel, we should be silent before him because we want to, and listen. <smile> John is to prepare the way for Jesus, what an absolutely incredible miracle Elizabeth has received, it is said that her womb was barren. The angel told Zechariah that "He will be great before the Lord."

Zechariah is a godly man and lived a life fully in tune with God's will in his life. Zechariah was born into a very holy family of priests. He was greeted by Gabriel, God's angelic messenger. Gabriel told Zechariah, "Do not be afraid, Zechariah, for your prayer is heard,.." It was overwhelming to him, it was so much to accept. Could his wife Elizabeth bear a son, if she was barren? Well his slight bit of doubt was all Gabriel had to hear. Zechariah was put in his place and made silent till John's birth. We must learn from this, that we must remain silent and obedient when our lives are being led and directed by the hand of God.

Can we really live a life attentive to God? Are His words in our hearts and mind, and do we have confidence and trust in Him? These past few days readings are teaching us how important it is for us to trust in God. And the trust we are learning about is unquestionable; we must be silent, open, and obedient to God's will in our lives. I sincerely believe this is easier then it sounds. I realize so many people in this world are all caught up in the "things" they possess, desire and think about in this world. It is possible to be completely detached from the chains of worldliness, and be fully in tune with Jesus and His will for us.

We are so fortunate to have the Holy Spirit to keep our faith alive to all God's promises to us. I can tell you that in my own life I have experienced many challenges, some I can say I probably helped cause; but there are many more that made no sense at all, as to why. Being silent before God wasn't and isn't always easy. I sometimes feel like I have to solve the problem as soon as I am confronted with it. But what I have learned through the years is that silence, prayer, and patience are powerful when it comes to doing God's will, even when all things look and seem impossible. We must remember that through God all things are possible.

Nothing in this world can ever replace or substitute God's love for us.


Your brother in Christ Jesus & His Most Blessed Mother,
Jim (The Rosary Man) Dacey Jr SFO