Reflection - Angels

By Steve Hall

https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/121920.cfm
Judges 13:2-7, 24-25
Luke 1:5-25

Just a few years ago angels were a short-lived cultural fad. Angels in pictures and angelic figurines were a common sight in nick-nack stores among others. The art was not of DaVinci or Michelangelo quality though most of the depictions were In the Renaissance style. Since neither fads nor collectibles were ‘my thing,’ none of these came into my possession. Besides, since I don’t have a personal relationship with Angel Frank or Angel Ralph as one of my friends does, I’m somewhat hampered in writing this reflection. Still, I did have one profound experience where an Angel was involved. In any event, I find myself sympathetic to Zachariah’s experience in the sanctuary of the Temple. He too apparently had no previous experience with engaging in an angelic conversation.

Angels are hardly unknown in the Old Testament. After Adam and Eve were expelled from paradise, a cherubim was ordered to guard the entrance. Two angels appear on the scene right before the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah. The patriarch, Jacob wrestled with an Angel throughout the night. Elijah the prophet was regularly directed by an angel. Throughout the text angels are warriors, angels are guides, angels are messengers. They show up as well in the New Testament. Mary and Joseph, as well as Zechariah, had an Angel experience. Paul was saved from prison by the work of an Angel. It’s rumored that Frank and Ralph directed the choir at the nativity; but that is a rumor I have been unable to confirm.

Zechariah would have known about all of the Old Testament appearances just mentioned and more, yet he was troubled when an angelic messenger appeared. To me, being troubled by the appearance of an Angel is a no-brainer. At least Zechariah seems to have kept his wits about him which is more than I could probably say for myself in similar circumstances. As the conversation proceeded, however, it would appear that the Angel took Zechariah’s words to be objectionable and subsequently silenced him. Looking at the text we can see the problem. Zechariah questions what Gabriel is telling hm: “How shall I know this?” The response of Gabriel indicates the tone in which the question was asked: “I am Gabriel, who stand before God. I was sent to speak to you and to announce to you this good news.”

On the surface we might think that Z’s response was innocent enough.

Just in case the import of the conversation is unclear, let me reduce it to our modern idiom. Gabriel had just announced that, after all these years, Zechariah and his wife Elizabeth would finally have a child, and not just a child but a son, and not just a son, but one who “will be great in the sight of the Lord.” Great news! To this announcement Zechariah replies “What is this hogwash you are feeding me? How am I supposed to know this is true?” Gabriel’s reply should have been expected: “ Hey! I’m not just some low-life newsman. I’m an Angel, and an Archangel at that. I’m part of the divine inner-sanctum where only truth is spoken. I stand before the throne of God Himself, the one who sent this message. And you are. . . .? No! Wait! Let me guess. You are one of the descendants of that guy who was thrown out of Paradise.”

Now, I grant that my translation probably exaggerates both the emotion and the intent; but you get the idea. (Apologies to Gabriel if I put words in his mouth.) Besides, it’s important to understand how events unfolded. Now some may object that Mary too asked a question of Gabriel: "How can this be, since I have no husband?" (Luke 1:34) Gabriel did not get excited about that. So, while it is true that Mary asked a question, her question was a practical one, whereas Z’s question was almost a challenge. That, however, is not the sum total of the matter, maybe not even the most important part.

Mary is really, frequently and properly commended for her response to Gabriel’s message. Without missing a beat we hear her reply: "Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word." (Luke 1:38) But her response has another dimension, one that is not given voice until she visits Elizabeth. It’s a heartfelt response, filled with joy and gratitude.

"My soul magnifies the Lord,
and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,
for he has regarded the low estate of his handmaiden.
For behold, henceforth all generations will call me blessed;
for he who is mighty has done great things for me, and holy is his name.”
(Luke 1:46-49)

It is similar to the response of the shepherds to the angelic choir: "Let us go over to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us."

It is similar to the response of three wise men from the east: "Where is he who has been born king of the Jews? For we have seen his star in the East, and have come to worship him."

Ultimately it will be given voice by Zechariah Himself. After John is born and his voice returns, we hear him exclaim: "Blessed be the Lord God of Israel, for he has visited and redeemed his people.”

Our lives may be missing an angelic visitation, at least one that we were aware of, but there’s no question that the Lord regards the low estate of his people and has truly visited and brought redemption. Even more, he blesses us every minute of every hour of every day with his presence and his guidance. All these events need to be acknowledged with gratitude — if not like Mary, whose response was immediate, then at least like Zachariah, who would only come to know the gift of the Lord in time.