SEPT. 6: ST. ZECHARIAH (ZACHARY)

(6th century BC)

Zechariah was of the tribe of Levi and was born in Babylon during the Babylon captivity. He returned from exile to Judea as an old man shortly before the dedication in 515 BC of the rebuilt temple.

Zechariah is sometimes identified with the prophet Jesus spoke of who was killed by his own people between the temple and the altar (Mt. 23:35; Luke 11:51). If true, was that a premonition of how Christ would eventually meet his own corporal death?

There is another link between the prophet and Jesus, a prophecy he made that the Lord would enter Jerusalem riding upon an ass.

When the days of his prophesying were ended, Zechariah died in peace and was buried among the graves of other prophets.

The Book of Zechariah contains in its first eight chapters — six chapters of visions he beheld concerned with the return from exile and two chapters that address the question whether the days of mourning for the destruction of the city should be kept any longer, and an encouraging address to the people, assuring them of God’s presence and blessing.

In chapters nine through 14, the book presents two “oracles” or “burdens,” one in chapters nine through 11 that outlines the course of God’s providential dealings with his people down to the time of the coming of the Messiah. The other oracle, chapters 12 through 14, point out the glories that await Israel in “the latter day,” the final conflict and triumph of God’s kingdom.

Adapted by A.J. Valentini