Do not be afraid, Zechariah
“How shall I know this? For I am an old man, and my wife is advanced in years.”
But now you will be speechless and unable to talk until the day these things take place,
because you did not believe my words, which will be fulfilled at their proper time.
He asked for a tablet and wrote, “John is his name,” and all were amazed.
Immediately his mouth was opened, his tongue freed, and he spoke blessing God.
I identify with Zechariah in this important story.
Zechariah is told the good news that he and his wife will have a child, even though it is quite unlikely. And, because he is unopen to the way “nothing is impossible with God,” he becomes mute - unable to speak. But, when he can affirm his faith in the marvel of the fulfillment of God’s word and say the name of his child, “John” - meaning “God is Gracius” - Zachariah proclaims the good news.
I can, at times, become unable to proclaim the good news of God’s love and mercy, or of the challenging call for justice and a more integral care for one another and our planet, because I can’t imagine how God will make all this turn out. The word gets stuck in my throat and my heart loses the courage to speak because I become afraid by the lingering doubts - doubts of God’s ultimate love and fidelity and God’s presence and promise to be with us always. And the fire of the Holy Spirit is extinguished.
However, when I can open my eyes and see that God is indeed faithful, and I can say “God is Gracious!” with all my heart, the fear vanishes and the courage returns and I can speak the good news.
Praying with this story can free all of our tongues to proclaim the good news of God’s gracious and merciful love, especially as we begin this year of mercy.
Dear Mary, place us with your son, Jesus, on this Advent journey. Plead for us that we might have a portion of his heart, in fidelity, trust in the Father, and with a heart full of compassion. Lead us through the rest of this journey, all the way to the manger, so that we might see how this courageous fidelity was born in poverty and surrender to the Father’s love.
Rev. Andy Alexander, SJ
I was born and raised in Omaha, 8 blocks from where I now work. My parents were very involved in the Jesuit parish here and were outstanding examples of a commitment to service for my sister and me as we were growing up. I entered the Jesuits in 1966, and was ordained in 1979.
I love giving the Spiritual Exercises of Ignatius, in any adaptation. One of my greatest privileges was to serve as pastor at Gesu Parish in Milwaukee for 8 years before coming here. The community there taught me about church, and the relationship between the worship which says who we are and the ministry to which it sends us.
One of the privileges of being back in Omaha was helping my mother care for my father, the last four and a half years of his life. Both of my parents have died and are enjoying the embrace of the Lord which they taught me about all of their lives.
When I write these reflections, I try to imagine the people who will be reading them. I try to imagine what ways I might be in solidarity with people struggling in any way. Then I read the readings. Then I ask, “what is the good news that we need to hear?” Something usually just comes, to me.
It is tremendously consoling to receive mail from people around the world, simply expressing gratitude for a reflection. Most of the time, it is enough to know, from the numbers, that people are finding this site to be a helpful spiritual support.
