SEPTEMBER 06 SAN ZACCARIA. Prayer to ask for thanks

Zechariah was called to the prophetic ministry in 520 BC By means of visions and parables, he announces God's invitation to penance, a condition for the promises to come true. His prophecies concern the future of reborn Israel, near future and messianic future. Zechariah highlights the spiritual character of reborn Israel, its holiness. Divine action in this work of sanctification will reach its fullness with the kingdom of the Messiah. This rebirth is the exclusive fruit of God's love and his omnipotence. The covenant concretized in the messianic promise made to David takes its course in Jerusalem. The prophecy came true literally in the solemn entry of Jesus into the holy city. Thus, together with a boundless love for his people, God unites a total openness to the cleansed people who will become part of the kingdom. Belonging to the tribe of Levi, born in Gilead and returned to old age from Chaldea to Palestine, Zechariah would have performed many wonders, accompanying them with prophecies of apocalyptic content, such as the end of the world and the double divine judgment. He died late in life and was buried next to the tomb of the prophet Haggai. (Avvenire)

PRAYER

You alone are holy, Lord,

and outside of you there is no light of goodness:

through the intercession and the example of St. Zechariah the prophet,

let us live an authentically Christian life,

not to be deprived of your vision in the sky.