Saint of the day November 5, 2024

Elizabeth and Zechariah never stopped praying that God would bless their marriage with a child, even though it seemed impossible as they grew elderly. Zechariah was a priest in the temple in Jerusalem.

One day, the angel Gabriel appeared to him and announced that Zechariah and Elizabeth would have a son. Gabriel told him to name the child John. Zechariah did not believe Gabriel. He asked for a sign that Gabriel’s words were true. At once, Zechariah became unable to speak. He was not able to talk again until John was born, many months later. Zechariah’s first words were, “Blessed be the Lord!” (Luke 1:67).

Elizabeth had a much younger cousin, our Blessed Mother, Mary. Mary, too, had been visited by the angel Gabriel, who told her that she had been chosen to be the mother of God’s Son. Gabriel told Mary that Elizabeth was also expecting a child although she was very old. Mary traveled to the hill country where Elizabeth and Zechariah lived. Mary wanted to help Elizabeth as she waited for the birth of her child.

The moment Mary arrived, Elizabeth recognized the blessing Mary had been given by God. Elizabeth greeted Mary with these words: “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb!” (Luke 1:42). We say these words today each time we pray the "Hail Mary".

Elizabeth and Zechariah’s son grew up to be John the Baptist, Jesus’ cousin. We honor Elizabeth and Zechariah as saints. Their lives teach us to always trust God.

Reflection

Elizabeth and Zachariah had never stopped praying that God would bless their marriage with a child, even though it seemed impossible as they grew elderly. Zachariah was a priest in the temple in Jerusalem. Elizabeth and Zachariah’s son grew up to be John the Baptist, Jesus’ cousin. We honor Elizabeth and Zachariah as saints. Their lives teach us to always trust in God.

In these two saints, we may see parts of our lives played out. We may have immense sorrow for an unfulfilled desire. We may have disbelief in the good that God has said He will bestow on us. We may have friends coming to help us in our hour of need. We rejoice in the Divine Presence of Jesus in the Eucharist. May these two saints inspire us to live a life worthy of the Gospel, to see the good God has done for them, and to know and believe that He is also doing good in our lives.