The Annunciation of the Angel to Saint Zechariah (detail of fresco) by Domenico Ghirlandalo
“In the time of Herod king of Judea there was a priest named Zechariah, who belonged to the priestly division of Abijah; his wife Elizabeth was also a descendant of Aaron. Both of them were righteous in the sight of God, observing all the Lord’s commands and decrees blamelessly. But they were childless because Elizabeth was not able to conceive, and they were both very old.” (Luke 1:5-7).
As had happened before in Salvation History, God blessed an elderly couple with new life… a child conceived in old age. Zechariah and Elizabeth are reported by sacred scripture to have been a righteous couple. At an age when no one could have imagined Elizabeth bearing a son, she did, for nothing is impossible for God—and no time is too late.
In one sense, this righteous couple symbolizes all of God’s chosen people, Israel, that seemed so old and broken. Twice conquered and now under foreign domination, who could take the Jews seriously! Well, God certainly did for He loves them as His first born among the nations. And so it is fitting that the herald of His Christ would come from a couple that no one would expect to bring new life. With God and His special creation, it is never too late as long as an earthly breath remains.
The same is true for each of us. Whether or not we love God, He loves us. And as long as a breath remains in us, God will help us to love Him. It is never too late for a new life in Christ. Never. Give yourself over to Him today. The fulness of new life awaits.
Come, Lord Jesus.
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