zechariah’s school of silence
“At that moment his mouth was opened and his tongue loosed, and he began to speak in praise of God.” —Luke 1:64
St. Zechariah the priest had spent long years serving the Lord in the Temple. However, he failed his test when the archangel Gabriel appeared to him and announced the good news of answered prayer (Lk 1:13ff). Zechariah thus entered the school of listening to the Lord, a school of silence. To ensure that Zechariah would be attentive to his lessons, the archangel Gabriel removed his ability to speak (Lk 1:20, 62).
Zechariah’s first three months of school were elementary school. During his wife’s first trimester, Zechariah could not yet see the baby growing, but had to learn to cultivate faith. Months four through six of Zechariah’s school of silence were high school level lessons. He still couldn’t speak, but he could see his wife’s womb gradually stretching, and he too was stretched. Like his son in St. Elizabeth’s womb, Zechariah’s faith was growing.
For the final three months of Zechariah’s school of silence, the Blessed Virgin Mary arrived to teach the graduate school courses: listening, wisdom, trust, and obedience (Lk 1:56). Zechariah passed his final exam with highest honors by obeying the command of God to name his son John (Lk 1:13, 63). He regained his speech. Zechariah’s commencement address, his Benedictus, was a prophecy that has been repeated by the Church in Morning Prayer for centuries (Lk 1:68-79).
Zechariah’s silent schooling was forced because his faith in God was weak. It need not be that way with us. Come to God in silence each day and actively listen for His voice (see Lam 3:26).
Prayer: Father, make me a docile student in Your school of silence so that many might learn of Your love through me.
Promise: “The friendship of the Lord is with those who fear Him, and His covenant, for their instruction.” —Ps 25:14
Praise: “O Emmanuel, King and Lawgiver, Desire of the nations, Savior of all people, come and set us free, Lord our God.”
Reference: (This teaching was submitted by a member of our editorial team.)
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