This Sunday, the Maronite Church reflects on the Annunciation to Zechariah. An angel appeared to Zechariah and told him that his wife was to bear a child. Although he knew that nothing is impossible for God, Zechariah questioned the message of the angel. In order to bring him to believe, Gabriel gave him a sign: Zechariah was to be silent until the birth of his son. The sign represented Zechariah’s uncertainty in God’s power and ability to surpass worldly barriers. As we approach this season of the birth of the Lord Jesus, may we realise how important our relationship with God is and may we always trust in His ability to do the impossible. May we find time for silence so we have the capability to think and examine ourselves and our actions.
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Seminar on the Apostolic Exhortation- The Church in the Middle East
As mentioned in last week’s message, St Charbel’s Centre for Research is holding a conference about “The Apostolic Exhortation: The Church in the Middle East, Communion and Witness” led by Their Graces Bishop Ad Abikaram and Bishop Robert Rabbat on Thursday 29 November 2012 at 7:30pm at St Mary Mackillop’s Hall. We encourage you all to attend.
St Barbara's Feast Day
St Charbel’s Parish invites you to a Family event for the occasion of St Barbara’s Feast Day on the 30th of October 2012 at 6:30pm. Entry is $10 per person. The program includes a rides, games for the kids, a masquerade costume parade & prizes. We encourage all families from the parish to attend.
I wish you all a blessed week!
In God’s Love,
Fr. Dr. Antoine Tarabay
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21st Year—Number 1035 Sunday 18/11/2012
Season of the Birth of Jesus
Announcement to Zechariah SundaySunday’s Readings: Roma 4: 13-25 & Luke 1: 1-25
Do not be afraid
“Since many have undertaken to set down an orderly account of the events that have been fulfilled among us, just as they were handed on to us by those who from the beginning were eyewitnesses and servants of the word, I too decided, after investigating everything carefully from the very first, to write an orderly account for you, most excellent Theophilus, so that you may know the truth concerning the things about which you have been instructed.
In the days of King Herod of Judea, there was a priest named Zechariah, who belonged to the priestly order of Abijah. His wife was a descendant of Aaron, and her name was Elizabeth. Both of them were righteous before God, living blamelessly according to all the commandments and regulations of the Lord. But they had no children, because Elizabeth was barren, and both were getting on in years.
Once when he was serving as priest before God and his section was on duty, he was chosen by lot, according to the custom of the priesthood, to enter the sanctuary of the Lord and offer incense. Now at the time of the incense-offering, the whole assembly of the people was praying outside. Then there appeared to him an angel of the Lord, standing at the right side of the altar of incense.When Zechariah saw him, he was terrified; and fear overwhelmed him. But the angel said to him, ‘Do not be afraid, Zechariah, for your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you will name him John. You will have joy and gladness, and many will rejoice at his birth, for he will be great in the sight of the Lord. He must never drink wine or strong drink; even before his birth he will be filled with the Holy Spirit. He will turn many of the people of Israel to the Lord their God. With the spirit and power of Elijah he will go before him, to turn the hearts of parents to their children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the righteous, to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.’
Zechariah said to the angel, ‘How will I know that this is so? For I am an old man, and my wife is getting on in years.’ The angel replied, ‘I am Gabriel. I stand in the presence of God, and I have been sent to speak to you and to bring you this good news. But now, because you did not believe my words, which will be fulfilled in their time, you will become mute, unable to speak, until the day these things occur.’
Meanwhile, the people were waiting for Zechariah, and wondered at his delay in the sanctuary. When he did come out, he could not speak to them, and they realized that he had seen a vision in the sanctuary. He kept motioning to them and remained unable to speak. When his time of service was ended, he went to his home. After those days his wife Elizabeth conceived, and for five months she remained in seclusion. She said, ‘This is what the Lord has done for me when he looked favourably on me and took away the disgrace I have endured among my people.’ .”Luke 1: 1-25
Reflection of the week
But the angel said to him, "Zechariah, do not be afraid, your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth is to bear you a son and you must name him John." (Luke 1:13)
Today’s gospel demonstrates the experience of Zechariah with the angel Gabriel. Luke tells us that Zechariah and Elizabeth were devout and pious - and like the experience of their forebears, Elizabeth was barren. The angel Gabriel announced to Zechariah that they will be blessed with a son, and that he was to be named John. He was no ordinary child though, as he would be conceived by direct interference from God and paves the way for Jesus' arrival. As John proclaims, “This is the one I spoke about when I said, ‘He who comes after me has surpassed me because he was before me.’”(John 1:15)
The angel Gabriel greets Zechariah with compassion and calmness, as he does with all his announcements. “..do not be afraid”, is such a powerful statement throughout the gospel, used by Jesus, the prophets and the angels. It is used to display God’s gentle nature, and his willingness to comfort his people.
As the angel Gabriel reveals to Zechariah that they will bear a son, Zechariah is filled with both joy and doubt. “How will I know that this is so? For I am an old man, and my wife is getting on in years.” Zechariah’s moment of weakness in doubting God’s grace and power is a sign of human nature.
Even for a slight moment, he portrayed signs that he was afraid, even with the comfort of the angel beside him. Zechariah did not simply accept the Lord’s word through the angel. In essence, he represents every single one of us, in that we may not completely trust God at particular moments throughout our lives.
God asks that we relinquish our worldly troubles and hardships and submit to his glorious will here on Earth, so that one day we can experience eternal happiness with Him.
Although he knew that nothing is impossible for God, Zechariah questioned the message of the angel.
In order to bring him to believe, Gabriel gave him a sign: Zechariah was to be silent until the birth of his son. The sign represented Zechariah’s uncertainty in God’s power and ability to surpass worldly barriers. Just as God was able to give Zechariah the joy of a son, He was also able to mute him until the birth of his son.
Silence is a gift
As we approach this season of the birth of the Lord Jesus, we realise how important our connection to God becomes. The angel did not mute Zechariah purely to punish him for his doubts, he muted him so that Zechariah could realise that his human nature had interfered with the most important aspect of life, our connection to God. Due to his inability to speak, Zechariah was given a unique opportunity to think and examine himself and his actions in order to truly appreciate God’s glory.
John the Baptist is the link between the Old and New covenants. Zechariah’s silence symbolises God’s will to ‘silence’ the Old covenant in order to make way for the New Covenant so that it can be proclaimed as the word of God.
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What can God do for you?
We are disciples on a journey with Jesus. But as we walk with Jesus, he is refining and honing us to be worthy disciples. God can make a wonderful disciple out of an old, set-in-his-ways priest and an impulsive fisherman. What can he do for you?
We are disciples on a journey with Jesus. But as we walk with Jesus, he is refining and honing us to be worthy disciples. God can make a wonderful disciple out of an old, set-in-his-ways priest and an impulsive fisherman. What can he do for you?
Zechariah and Elizabeth experience is not unique
The theme of infertility appears in the Bible many times. Sarah who bore Isaac, Rebekah who bore Jacob, Rachel who bore Joseph, and Manoah's wife who bore Samson. And Elizabeth who bears John. And There are many who feel this way today. There are those today who can’t have children and waiting for God to hear their prayers as He heard Elizabeth and Zechariah.
The theme of infertility appears in the Bible many times. Sarah who bore Isaac, Rebekah who bore Jacob, Rachel who bore Joseph, and Manoah's wife who bore Samson. And Elizabeth who bears John. And There are many who feel this way today. There are those today who can’t have children and waiting for God to hear their prayers as He heard Elizabeth and Zechariah.
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Saints of the Week
18 November 2012
St Romanos (Raymond),In the Maronite synaxarion, two saints by the name of Romanos are commemorated. The other Romanos is described as the Father of Monks and is celebrated on February 27. The Romanos commemorated today is also commemorated on March 1.
Romanos was born in Palestine in Caesarea and ordained a deacon in one of the villages belonging to this province. When the Roman Emperor, Diocletian, began his persecution of the Christians both in the East and in the West, especially at Antioch, Romanos immediately decided to go to that city when he heard that many of the Christians there were abandoning their Christian faith. The emperor threatened to cut out Romanos' tongue, but the future martyr continued preaching and urged the people to confess to no other savior but Jesus. Finally, he was arrested, thrown into prison, and in 303 beheaded.
There are many who assert that Romanos originated in Antioch and not in Palestine. This confusion arose from the fact that the early Christians attributed martyrs to the place where their blood was shed rather than the place where they were born.
Romanos still lives in the memory and lives of the Maronite faithful (in Lebanon and the United States) who have churches named in his honor
Entry of Virgin Mary into the Temple
Maronite Feast day November 21According to Tradition, the Virgin Mary was taken —presented—by her parents Joachim and Anna into the Jewish Temple in Jerusalem as a young girl, where she lived and served as a Temple virgin until her betrothal to St. Joseph.
Mary was solemnly received by the temple community which was headed by the priest Zacharias, the father of John the Baptist. She was led to the holy place to become herself the "holy of holies" of God, the living sanctuary and temple of the Divine child who was to be born in her.
Cecilia, Martyr and Virgin (+230)
Maronite Feast Day: November 22Saint Cecilia is the patron saint of musicians and Church music. She was appointed as the patron saint for musicians and Church music because legend has it that she sang hymns to God as she was dying. Tradition tells us that she was a noble lady of Rome who, with her husband Valerian and his brother Thateus, suffered martyrdom for their faith.
One story tells us that Cecilia’s father arranged her marriage but she wanted to remain a virgin to praise God. On the night of her wedding she told her new husband that she already had a lover, an angel of God who was very jealous. Her husband demanded to see this angel. He was baptised and the angel appeared to him with huge, shining wings.
Cecilia lived in a time of persecution of Christians. The authorities of that time discovered her faith and wanted to arrest and kill her. She arranged to have her home preserved as a church before she was arrested. At that time, the officials attempted to kill her by locking her in an overheated bathhouse. However, the attempt failed, and she was to be beheaded. The executioner attempted to decapitate her three times unsuccessfully, at which time he fled. Cecilia survived another three days before dying. In the last three days of her life, she opened her eyes, gazed at her family and friends who crowded around her cell, closed them, and never opened them again. The people by her cell knew immediately that she was to become a saint in heaven. She was a friend to all.
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COMMUNION AND WITNESS
POST-SYNODAL APOSTOLIC EXHORTATION for the MIDDLE EAST (5)
POST-SYNODAL APOSTOLIC EXHORTATION for the MIDDLE EAST (5)
PART ONE(4): Interreligious dialogue
19. The Church’s universal nature and vocation require that she engage in dialogue with the members of other religions. In the Middle East this dialogue is based on the spiritual and historical bonds uniting Christians to Jews and Muslims. It is a dialogue which is not primarily dictated by pragmatic political or social considerations, but by underlying theological concerns which have to do with faith.
They are grounded in the sacred Scriptures and are clearly defined in the Dogmatic Constitution on the Church Lumen Gentium and in the Declaration on the Church’s Relation to Non-Christian Religions Nostra Aetate.[17] Jews, Christians and Mus-lims alike believe in one God, the Creator of all men and women. May Jews, Christians and Muslims rediscover one of God’s desires, that of the unity and harmony of the human family. May Jews, Christians and Muslims find in other believers brothers and sisters to be respected and loved, and in this way, beginning in their own lands, give the beautiful witness of serenity and concord between the children of Abraham. Rather than being exploited in endless conflicts which are unjustifiable for authentic believers, the acknowledgment of one God – if lived with a pure heart – can make a powerful contribution to peace in the region and to respectful coexistence on the part of its peo-ples.20. The bonds uniting Christians and Jews are many and they run deep. They are anchored in a precious common spiritual heritage. There is of course our faith in one God, the Creator, who reveals himself, offers his unending friendship to mankind and out of love desires to redeem us. There is also the Bible, much of which is common to both Jews and Christians. For both, it is the word of God.
Our common recourse to sacred Scripture draws us closer to one another. Moreover, Jesus, a son of the Chosen People, was born, lived and died a Jew (cf. Rom 9:4-5). Mary, his Mother, likewise invites us to rediscover the Jewish roots of Christianity. These close bonds are a unique treasure of which Christians are proud and for which they are indebted to the Chosen People. The Jewishness of the Nazarene allows Christians to taste joyfully the world of the Promise and resolutely introduces them into the faith of the Chosen People, making them a part of that People. Yet the person and the deepest identity of Jesus also divide them, for in him Christians recognize the Messiah, the Son of God.
21. Christians ought to become more conscious of the depth of the mystery of the Incarnation in order to love God with all their heart, with all their soul and with all their might (cf. Dt 6:5). Christ, the Son of God, became flesh in a people, a faith tradition and a cul-ture which, if better known, can only enrich the understanding of the Christian faith. Christians have come to this deeper understanding thanks to the death and resurrection of Christ (cf. Lk 24:26). But they must always be aware of and grateful for their roots. For the shoot grafted onto the ancient tree to take (cf. Rom 11:17-18), it needs the sap rising from the roots.
Next Sunday: Interreligious dialogue (2)
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