Zechariah 10: The New Order
Monday, June 24, 2019
When surprise springs upon us we stagger a bit in wonderment . . . and then we too often we move forward quickly, passing by the opportunity to reflect with God about how the surprise he has given us will continue to change our lives. It is these changes and surprises that tell us we can trust God. It is these changes and surprises that reveal God’s fidelity and care for us. It is these changes and surprises that bring us evidence of God’s deep and abiding love.
Today we spend time thinking about the new order. Zechariah predicts the newness that accompanies the Messiah. The Pharisees do not want to hear this news. From today’s Gospel reading from Luke: Some Pharisees came to Jesus and said, “Go away, leave this area because Herod wants to kill you”. He replied, “Go and tell that fox, ‘Behold, I cast out demons and I perform healings today and tomorrow, and on the third day I accomplish my purpose’”.
God brings order out of the chaotic universe. Jesus brings order out of the corrupt hierarchy when he tells us that we are priests in our own right, the adopted daughters and sons of the creator, no longer needing the intercession of priests in the temple. We are our own temple, Christ having destroyed the old and having become the new. We enter into that temple when we humble ourselves, take up our assignments, and follow.
To have a deep understand of the meaning in the Book of Zechariah it is best to read notes and commentary; but even at a quick glance we can feel the newness of these words. The Word is rain in the spring season. The Word brings about the falling away of deceitful dreams and empty comfort. The Word gathers up the sheep who wander searching for meaning and feeling in their lives that lasts and does not flicker and vanish with the slightest whisper of struggle. The Word strengthens us so that we might walk in his name.
Whoever strives to be made God’s dwelling place, should strive to make himself humble and peaceable, that he may be known to be God’s servant, not by his greed for talk and pliability of mien, but by the reality of his lowliness; for goodness of heart requires no false unction of talk. (Saint Columban, d. 615- MAGNIFICAT, Oct 30, 2008)
When I suddenly find myself swimming upstream against tremendous odds, I know that it is time to halt, to humble myself, to take stock and to listen . . . so that I might hear The Word that never fails. When I find that I do not comprehend what is before me, I know that I have entered into a new time – an exciting time – when I am accompanied closely by Christ. Zechariah predicts his coming to the people, his coming to each of us. In all of our struggle and anticipation . . . we might overlook the fact that he already walks among us.
The True Word is not false. It does not flatter. It dies not waver. It does not manipulate. It frees. It speaks truth always. It produces good fruit in due season. The Word is the New Order. We have heard this story many times. Let us act as if we believe.
Let us not forget the surprising good news that the prophet Zechariah brings us.
Cameron, Peter John, Rev., ed. “Meditation of the Day.” MAGNIFICAT. 30 October 200. Print.
Image from: http://softmoonlight.wordpress.com/2011/05/03/the-desert-flower/
Written on October 30, 2008 and posted today as a Favorite.
For more on surprises in our lives, go to the Ruth – Surprise page on this blog at: https://thenoontimes.com/the-book-of-our-life/ruth-surprise/
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