From today’s Scripture: “The angel said to him, ‘Do not be afraid, Zechariah, because your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you shall name him John.’”—Lk 1:13

I imagine that Zachariah and Elizabeth probably prayed together to have children and, maybe after many years, for just a child. In today’s Scripture, the angel said, “Do not be afraid, Zechariah, because your prayer has been heard.”

I don’t know if Zechariah had ever lost hope in being a father, but he surely had doubts when the angel of the Lord came to him and told him that his barren wife, Elizabeth, would bear a son. Instead of trusting that his prayers had been answered he asked, “How shall I know this?” And instead of being able to shout for joy and share this great news with others, he was left speechless by the angel Gabriel. “But now you will be speechless and unable to talk until the day these things take place, because you did not believe my words.”

What are we waiting for in our life? Have we asked God in prayer? Have we given up hope because we did not receive the answer we wanted? Do we still trust that anything is possible with God? Will we believe it when God gives us an answer?

Let us pray: I do believe, Lord, help my unbelief!

Today’s author is Brother David Henley, who serves as Glenmary’s Associate Director of Vocations and is a missioner in Martin County, North Carolina.

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