Every Challenge has its own purpose

Gospel Thoughts

Advent Season : 3rd Week - Saturday

GOSPEL Lk 1:5-25

First Reading - Jgs 13:2-7, 24-25a

*Every Challenge has its own purpose*

*1) Barrenness was a great challenge for Zechariah and Elizabeth*

*Both were righteous in the eyes of God*

This speaks about how Holy they were

*They were observing all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blamelessly.*

This is the another information we have about this Holy Couple. 

The above two things show us the height of holiness  and no one could question about that 

Even such a Holy Couple had one of the greatest challenges of Life that is : they had no child

*But they had no child, because Elizabeth was barren*

On one  side we see their great holiness on the other side there is a great challenges. 

So how to explain this? 

*2) Elizabeth's barrenness was with a divine purpose*

The role of John the Baptist to prepare the way of the Lord. 

So John had to take birth just before the birth of Christ. 

So the birth of John was (second Coming of Elijah) had to take place just before the birth of Jesus

So Elizabeth and Zechariah had to wait for this moment 

As it appears to the human reason, it seems to be a great challenge, because such a holy couple having no child. 

But one should have a little wisdom to see the purpose of this barrenness, in the context of the birth of a great man, who will prepare the way for the Lord. 

*3) God Chose Zechariah and Elizabeth a holy couple for the Birth of a Great person*

God wanted a righteous couple for the arrival of a righteous man who will become the precursor of Jesus. 

As it was believed this precursor would the 2nd coming of Elijah in the form of John the Baptist. 

So the precursor of Jesus was already found in Elijah, but for the coming of this Elijah, God needed a holy couple. 

So ultimately God chooses this Holy couple. Even then the time was not fulfilled for the Birth of John 

So this Holy couple had to wait for this moment

This waiting appears to be *barrenness* for the entire world, but for God, it is great time for reveling the Birth of Great man John  

So in this way the barrenness of Elizabeth gets a new meaning   

*4) Elizabeth's barrenness made the Birth of John an extraordinary Event*

Since Elizabeth was barren, the Good News of Johns birth became a great event, because

People came to know about the great vision Zechariah had

Secondly Zechariah became mute. This also has direct connection with the barrenness of Elizabeth

Thirdly Elizabeth and Zechariah had advanced in Age. So conceiving a child would be a real miracle. In this context, the barrenness of Elizabeth, became a great opportunity for a great miracle 

So all these things will prove that, Elizabeth's barrenness had a great purpose. 

*5) This holy couple never complained about their inability to have a child*

They were righteous before God. This speaks that they never even questioned God about their inability to have children, in spite of having a deep spirituality. 

This also shows how holy they were.

 

*6) How do I face the great challenges in My Life*

Do I take them as an opportunity for the greater miracles in my life. 

We are all called for a better and great divine purposes. In this process we have to undergo, various types of barrenness. So what is my response during this barrenness? 

Am I able to wait patiently, until the time comes? 

Just think about it

*God bless you and your family. Praying for you and your dear ones*

*Fr Maxim Dsouza*

*Jeppu Seminary*

*Mangalore*