by Fr. Dmitri, New Zealand

Zacharias

Saturday 19 September 2009 (9 Tute; 9 Thout)
St.Beya Abbess of Copeland.

Look upon the rainbow, and praise him that made it; very beautiful it is in the brightness thereof.
(Sirach 43:11)

Rejoice in the Lord, O ye righteous: for praise
is comely for the upright.
(Psa.33:1)

We must, above all, keep the love for one another
because whoever loves his brother, loves God, and
whoever loves God, loves himself.
(Anthony the Great)

The Holy Virgin defines herself as a maidservant to
the Lord, although she was chosen to be His mother; the
promise that was fulfilled did not make her slip into the sin of pride.
(S.Ambrose)

According to the Law of Moses, a burning light was always
to be placed in the meeting tent; this was a symbol of St. John the Baptist.
(Cyril the Great)

God commanded to love Him first, but loving the neighbour is to be executed first.
(S.Augustine)

Oh repentance, you are my daily Baptism by which I clean my robe.
(Fr.Bishoy Kamel)

Save me, O God, by thy name, and judge me by thy strength.
Hear my prayer, O God, give ear to the words of my mouth,
for strangers have risen against me..
(Psa.54: 1-3a)

But He made His own people go forth like sheep, And guided
them in the wilderness like a flock.
(Psa.78:52)

REFLECTION

Whenever our eyes feast on a spectacular scene - such as
a magnificent landscape, or a splendid sunset, or a beautfiful
star-studded sky - let us realize that it is only a pale reflection
of the Divine Beauty.

Let us then bless the Lord as being the sole source of all good.
Almighty Creator, teach us to appreciate the wondrous things
You have made. Grant us the grace to see You in each of them
and give You the praise and glory owed You.
(Theresa of Avila)

HOMILY:

ZACHARIAS

Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Sion; shout for joy, O daughter of
Jerusalem: behold thy King will come to thee, the just and Saviour.
(Zach.9:9)

Zacharias prophesied to the discouraged and despondent Hebrews who had returned from
Captivity and were rebuilding the Temple. He revives the chosen people's faith in their
destiny; pictures the doom of their oppressors, and the glories of the Messianic Kingdom.

A favourite prophet on the lips of Christ:-

eg. 'The weightier things of the law, Judgement and mercy and faith.'(Matt.23:23;Zach.7:9)

Also ' I will strike the shepherd and the sheep shall be dispersed.' (Mark 14:27; Zach.13:7)

When He calls Himself the 'Good Shepherd' there is a contrast with the bad shepherds who
forsake their flock in Zach.11:17. When He rides into Jerusalem He is fulfilling Zach.9:9.

Perhaps this is why the Sanhedrin derisively appoint 'thirty pieces of silver.'
(Matt.27:9; Zach.11:12)

The Messianic Peace is still unfulfilled. Peace is always struggling into
existence, as it were, through a tangle of human passions. But every Feast
of the Nativity ought to strengthen the forces of peace, in the nations, and in daily life.

'Behold Thy King'

In the fulfilling of this prophecy Christ showed Himself as the unexpected
King of Peace: riding on an Ass and not on a War-Horse; surrounded by Palms
instead of spears.

When an heir to a throne is born there is a noisy celebration and it is trumpeted far and
wide. Gun Salutes and all that.

Think of that when you consider the Birth of the Christ Child; the stable, the animals, the
complete indifference of the great world. Except for the Angelic Host, but only the
Shepherds saw that and the Magi his Star in the East.

To Thee be glory and Praise, now and ever, and Unto Ages of Ages.

AMEN!

Today's Readings:

Evening: Psalm 88:20-22; Gospel Matt.10:34-42.
Morning: Psalm 131: 9-18; Gospel Luke 6:17-23.
Liturgy: Heb.7:18-8:13; 3 John 1:1-15; Acts 15:36-16:5;
Psalm 98:6-7; Gospel John 16:20-23.