Radical hope

Radical hope. 

Good morning, happy Thursday, Merry Christmas, and many blessings.

Before we look at Zach’s song (Luke 1:67-79), let me ask you a question. If you had not been able to talk for a year, what would you say when you finally could speak? “The Benedictus was, no doubt, formed in the heart of Zacharias during the long months of enforced muteness, when he was dumb and not able to speak. After nine months of silence, it came streaming out like the molten metal when issue is given to it.” This song is about radical hope. How could we go on struggling and striving for peace and justice if we did not have hope? Imagine any anti-war movement without songs of protest and radical hope. Think of the Civil Rights Movement or struggles for liberation anywhere without music.

In our Gospel for today, we’re given a wonderful example by Zechariah about what thanksgiving is all about.  Giving thanks is crucial for the believer.  We would do well to notice the three main things he is thankful for.  I truly believe that our lives would be so much richer and more meaningful if we too could consistently give God thanks for these three things as well. The first thing he gives thanks for is the fact that God has redeemed His people.  Secondly, he thanks God for the fulfillment of past promises.  Finally, he thanks God as he anticipates the fulfillment of future promises.  All these are acts of God.  So, we too thank God for His gracious work among us, His people.

Zechariah’s hymn of praise and radical hope at the birth of John has many parallels with Mary’s Magnificat. It is firmly rooted in the First Testament and the faith story of the people. The prayer focusses primarily on Jesus, as Savior, not John. God is faithful to the promises God has made. John is the prophet who will go before the Lord to prepare the way and give knowledge of salvation. The tender mercy of God offers light, hope and the way of peace.

Although he was a good man, Zechariah did not believe the good news regarding the arrival of a yearned-for child. He became dumb. Now, as he names his son John, which means ‘God is gracious’, his tongue is loosened, and he bursts into this marvelous prophetic song. How confidently and joyfully do I proclaim the graciousness of God? Or does my lack of faith made me dumb too? Do I truly believe that God has redeemed me?

The Holy Spirit has a busy time in the infancy stories! Elizabeth, Mary and now Zechariah all experience themselves as filled with the Spirit of God that brings hope.  Songs of radical hope are not just for the big historical causes and events. They are also for the struggles and travails of our everyday lives. Many people today sit in darkness and in the shadow of death. Zechariah has a message of hope for them. I ask that I may bring some light to such people, especially at this holy time. Would you dare to write a song of radical hope in the midst of Covid-19?

Our communal and personal songs of radical hope help us to see that God is always doing a new thing in our individual and collective lives, that God's desire is for our well-being and not for harm, that God is always offering us salvation in ways we cannot always see or imagine, and that there is a better world in birth - that, in spite of appearances, the world is about to turn in new and surprising ways. But not all people know this. 

Therefore I want to go out and share the Good News of Christmas of radical hope. Do you want to do the same?

Blessings,

Fr. Luis+