They shall not live who have not tasted death.They only sing who are struck dumb by God.(Joyce Kilmer, “Poets”) And so Zechariah became one of the poets,hymning the God of Israel with new voice,for those who have most wept will most rejoice,while others full of grace who did not know itcould never pen a hymnContinue reading “Advent 6: Benedictus”
Tag Archives: Zechariah
Palm Sunday
I have been there in the festal throng, the waving of palms, the shouting of Psalms: Hosanna – the highest – hosanna. And I have felt the surge of pride to see my king, as prophesied, come in, triumphantly, astride his Zechariah-steed, and I confess that I have hoped to find what, in the end,Continue reading “Palm Sunday”
Open
And immediately his mouth was opened and his tongue loosed, and he spoke, blessing God. (Luke 1:64) No good unless used for you: only death, only a swallowing tomb. No sweet grapes from a rotten vine; no figs budding from a cursed tree. When speaking, we curse; when silent, bones waste… Until the words, HeContinue reading “Open”
Luke 1: Zechariah and Mary
No surprise, perhaps, that the impossible’s not a boundary for the one who lit stars and sculpted the mountains, watered – drew water from – our rock. Yet unexpected now, this figure in temple, in dreams, beholding and saying what’s seldom been said, more seldom believed: The barren with child? AContinue reading “Luke 1: Zechariah and Mary”
Lent 29: Wednesday of Fourth Week
The blind, the lame, are let inside; the cursed now are blessed. The king in triumph rides upon a humble donkey’s colt. The temple tables overturned, the mind thrown into chaos, prophecies are rendered true in ways that chill our hearts. The unexpected king burns bright with anger at the sham. He knowsContinue reading “Lent 29: Wednesday of Fourth Week”
The Consolations of Writing 