Strong Faith
As I have grown older and experienced adulthood in the Christmas season, my appreciation and admiration towards the miracle of the birth of Jesus has grown. Mary gave birth to Jesus not only as a virgin, but also as a very young woman looking to begin her new life with her husband Joseph. As an adolescent, I did not grasp the life-changing aspects of what God asked of Mary, and have only appreciated them more in recent times.
We are all aware of the story of the angel Gabriel visiting Mary and proclaiming the good news, but in today’s reading we are reminded that God has done this is the past. God approached the wife of Manoah and proclaimed that she would give birth to a boy that would “begin the deliverance of Israel from the power of the Philistines.” God furthermore asked the wife of Manoah to abide by strict rules while bearing Samson and never to cut his hair. The rest is history with Samson.
In the Gospel, we are told the story of the angel Gabriel’s visit to Elizabeth and Zechariah. Gabriel proclaims the birth of John the Baptist to Elizabeth, who is very old and “barren.” God asks Elizabeth again to have faith and outlines strict instructions for John’s upbringing. Zechariah, however, shows less faith and does not believe Gabriel at first. Zechariah is left without speech until John’s birth due to his questioning.
God asked a heavy burden of Mary, Elizabeth, and Samson’s mother and all possesses the faith to answer the call without a grievance or shred of doubt. Although I am a young, single man in the modern age, I can still grasp how difficult it must have been for these women to face God unprepared and agree to a life changing decision on the spot! I probably would have at least questioned God much like Zechariah did. These readings and the Gospel remind me to have strong faith and to “not be afraid” during the Christmas season, whether it is simply making a sincere effort to attend mass or to participate more in the faith community.
Lastly, God notes to all three mothers that the birth of their sons would be a joyous occasion and celebrated by all. Christmas is a time of happiness and celebration, but there are that those who are struggling in our community that can be left out or avoid the Christmas spirit. I hope to be able to share the joy of Christmas with them during the last few weeks of the season, and I ask you, as well, to share the cheer to those who need it.
Michael Piccatto, Jr.
Young Adult Board
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