I am not afraid of storms, for I am learning how to sail my ship. - Louisa May Alcott

You're chosen to do a job of great honor, with inherent danger, yet you have prepared and purified yourself.  All seems to be as it should be, and you are quietly pleased and proud and thankful that all is to the good.

But then, without warning, you're suddenly interrupted. 

From the Gospel of Luke, Chapter One
10 At the hour of incense the whole assembly of the people was praying outside. 11 An angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing to the right of the altar of incense. 12 When Zachariah saw him, he was startled and overcome with fear. 13 But the angel said to him: Do not be afraid, Zachariah, because your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you will name him John. 14 There will be joy and delight for you, and many will rejoice at his birth. 15 For he will be great in the sight of the Lord, and will never drink wine or beer. And he will be filled with the Holy Spirit while still in his mother's womb. 16 He will turn many of the sons of Israel to the Lord their God. 17 And he will go before Him in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of fathers to their children, and the disobedient to the understanding of the righteous, to make ready for the Lord a prepared people. 18 "How can I know this?" Zachariah asked the angel. "For I am an old man, and my wife is well along in years." 19 The angel answered him, "I am Gabriel, who stands in the presence of God, and I was sent to speak to you and tell you this good news. 20 Now listen! You will become silent and unable to speak until the day these things take place, because you did not believe my words, which will be fulfilled in their proper time."

Imagine!  For a grown man to be overcome with fear can be devastating. 

Now, Gabriel must have calmed him down quickly, for in no time at all, it seems, Zechariah is ready to "discuss" the matter the angel set before him.

We who read this do not hear, cannot hear, Zechariah's voice as he made answer to Gabriel.  But from the angel's words, he had to demonstrate the power he was given and gave the priest a rather extended slap on the wrist in terms of imposed silence for almost a year for the disbelief with which Zechariah professed.

"You're going to have a baby, Zeke.  He's going to be a special prophet, and you'll have to take special care of him!"

"Really? How can I believe that? I'm old, my wife's old, and it makes no sense."  Not only was Zechariah, I believe, disbelieving, but he wanted to limit God by the limits of his own, mortal, body.

The angel, I can visualize. Gabriel drew himself up,maybe. Straightened his shoulders and declaimed, giving his name and penalizing the disbelieving man.  Silence.  Involuntary silence until the son should be born.

The lesson in this passage is all in the nuances.  When confronted by an angel, it is best not to limit him by your own limits. When God takes the time to single you out for attention, to give you time and show you his plan for the lives of others, don't knock it.

Why do I say "nuances matter?"  Because in another passage, a young lady is also confronted by an angel, and is also a bit baffled by what she hears.  Yet she is not disciplined, she is reassured.  I have to figure that nuances mattered in her conversation with Gabriel, too.

While blogging, nuances are often lost entirely, so.... Be careful.