"good news for modern man"
"Old men and old women, each with staff in hand because of old age, shall again sit in the streets of Jerusalem. The city shall be filled with boys and girls playing in her streets." —Zechariah 8:4-5
Today, don't watch the news on TV. Instead, picture in your mind the "prophetic" news reported by Zechariah in today's first Eucharistic reading. A news camera zooms in on a group of old men and women sitting peacefully in chairs on a sidewalk in Jerusalem. They are observing a game played by a group of happy children in the street (Zec 8:4-5). Zechariah, the prophet-reporter, looks into the camera. He reports that these older folks have lived many years because there have been no car-bombings, terrorist attacks, or random shootings. The old folks are secure, and feel no need to hide in their homes for safety. The children have lived their entire life in peace, and have no experience of oppression and injustice.
Zechariah's audience scoffs at this idyllic setting. Exiled for decades, they have only recently returned to Jerusalem. Much of the city is still in rubble. Rebuilding goes slowly because the people are poor and defenseless against marauders. Zechariah's prophetic news flash seems "impossible" to them (Zec 8:6).
What situation in your life seems impossible to you? "Even if this should seem impossible in [your] eyes," should it "be impossible in My eyes also, says the Lord?" (Zec 8:6) The Lord says to you: "Is My hand too short to ransom? Have I not the strength to deliver?" (Is 50:2)
Prayer: Lord, "I do believe! Help my lack of trust!" (Mk 9:24)
Promise: "Whoever welcomes Me welcomes Him Who sent Me." —Lk 9:48
Praise: Not knowing how to ascend to God, St. Therese was inspired to become like a little child and developed her "little way" to God.
Reference: (This teaching was submitted by a member of our editorial team.)
Rescript: †Most Reverend Daniel E. Pilarczyk, Archbishop of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, April 3, 2007
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