Mary is due any day. So much is happening in preparation. So much has happened already in preparation. The silence has broken. The prophets were silenced for the last 400 years. Malachi, whose very name means “My Messenger” lexically identical to Angel, starts off today’s readings with “Behold, I send you a messenger [John the Baptist]…” and “behold, he [Jesus] is coming…”, and Malachi tells us “he will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver”. The sons of Levi, the priests, have turned from seeking God and are seeking the office of priest. They didn’t believe as much as perform.
Psalm 25 tells us how to wait, gives us the spiritual posture for waiting. “He guides the humble to justice, he teaches the humble his way.” The proud don’t need help. The proud can perform on their own.
Next, we read about Zechariah, who has also been silenced for doubting. I love to look at the meaning of biblical names. Zechariah means “Yahweh Remembers”, and Elizabeth can mean “Yahweh’s Oath”. When the baby’s name is doubted, “Yahweh Remembers” asks for a tablet to write on. The old law, symbolically represented by Zechariah (a Levite), written on tablets, was silenced until the new law, written on a tablet, was given. What’s the new law? What does John’s name mean? Grace.
Grace, the son of Yahweh-Remembers and Yahweh’s-Oath, was born six months ago. Mary is due any day. The silence is broken. The tablet is written. The Way is being prepared. And I can’t wait.
Greg Dyche
As a professor at Creighton University’s Heider College of Business, I teach courses in Management Information Systems, Analytics, and Artificial Intelligence. With over 40 years of professional experience and a commitment to helping students discover “the possibilities of technology,” I bring both technical expertise and a heart for service to my work. I am grateful to participate in Creighton’s Online Ministry, sharing in the journey of faith through daily scripture reflections.
