JUDGES 6: 11-24
AND LUKE 1:26-38
INTRODUCTION
The title of my reflection for this 20th Tuesday
in Ordinary Time is, “Gideon and Mary:
Judges 6: 11-24 and Luke 1:26-38.”
This will be more information than inspiration.
When I read this morning’s first reading from the 6th
Chapter of Judges, I found myself back
in the seminary in a classroom in the early 1960’s. Our professor stressed that
when Luke put together his annunciation account
for Mary - he had in front of him Gideon’s annunciation moment.
Then he had us read both annunciation accounts out loud.
So I decided to use the time for this morning’s homily to
point out the similarities of both accounts.
FIRST: AN ANGEL
Gideon’s annunciation moment begins this way: “The angel
of the Lord came and sat under the terebinth in Ophrah that belonged to Joash
the Abierzrite. While his son Gideon was beating out wheat in the wine press to
save it from the Midianites, the angel of the Lord appeared to him and said,
“The Lord is with you, O champion!”
Mary’s annunciation moment begins this way: “In the sixth
month the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a town in Galilee called Nazareth,
to a virgin betrothed to a man named Joseph, of the House of David; and the
virgin’s name was Mary. He went in and said to her, ‘Rejoice, so highly
favored! The Lord is with you.”
TWO: QUESTIONS
Next come the questions. Wait a minute! I have some
questions. Both Gideon and Mary ask questions. Don’t we all, when asked to do a
favor?
Gideon begins by asking, “My Lord, if the Lord is with us,
why has all this happened to us?” And he asks several more questions.
Mary asks what the greeting meant. How can I bear a son?
I’m not married.
THREE: NEXT
COMES THE MISSION
Gideon is told by the Lord, “Go with the strength you
have and save Israel from the power of Midian.”
Mary is told that the Holy Spirit will come over her and
she’ll bear a Son - the Son of God. That’s her calling.
FOURTH: THE
LORD IS WITH THEM
Two times as we heard today’s first reading, Gideon is
told, “I shall be with you.”
Mary is told the power of the Most High will cover her
with its shadow. Mary is told nothing impossible with God.”
FIFTH: BOTH DO
IT
Gideon wants signs - and finally gets one and discovers
God in the fire than came from a rock that consumes everything - and then
realized he had seen the angel of the Lord face to face.
Mary brings forth Jesus to our world. He is the sign
we’re all looking for.
CONCLUSION
Notice the inspirations - the challenges - the angels who
will come to you today. Think about the possibilities of bringing new life to
your daily situations. Measure them. Question them. Then do acts of kindness - good works - bring
God’s love and presence into the rooms and corners of your world today.
PAINTING ON TOP: The Angel Puts the Fire on the Altar of Gideon, J.J. Tissot
