Today we begin reading the Gospel of Luke. A chain reaction of our thoughts was triggered off by the dramatic appearance of an angel to Zechariah, the father of John the Baptist. All the people were “praying without at the hour of incense” Presumably this was the ninth hour: we recall that Peter and John went up into the temple at the ninth hour the hour of prayer (Acts 3 v.1) Dramatic things sometimes happen when people pray. As I type this it is 9 am – but it is also the 9th day of the month, a month which is the 9th month of the year. In this evil world we need times of prayer more than ever.

When Jesus was dying on the cross there was darkness over all the land until the 9th hour (Matt.27:45) – and we realize that the 9th hour to the Jew in those days was 3 pm. We live in a world in which there has been spiritual darkness as to the meaning of life and the reality of God. At some point that darkness will be dramatically lifted, but then, those who have not seen the light will find it is too late – the door will be shut as the parable says.

Zachariah was blessed, but he was struck dumb and mute – he was told his prayer had been heard, but he did not really believe and until 9 months had passed and the babe was born did he get the ability to speak again. Then God used him as a witness that made all the people marvel. (Luke 1 v.65) and the event was talked about everywhere.

So this chapter is about the drama of God’s intervention in the normal course of events – and the affect it had - the greatest of which is the faith of Mary his mother and the wonderful words she uttered. We stand now at the eleventh hour, and the appeal to us is as when Jesus talks of “the eleventh hour” – let us respond to what he said [Matt. 20 v.6], for the Master is looking for those who are ready to put their hands to the plough in “the eleventh hour.”

In contrast there was no one willing to put work for God at the time Ezekiel was writing (Ch,23). The way people lived then was the same as more and more people are living now, giving themselves over to sexual perversions, although the language he uses had, as its main aim, the portrayal of the total spiritual idolatry of the people. It provides us with a very unsavoury read, just as so much available now is very unsavoury. Let us read God’s word more and more – and what a wonderful message Luke has for us for the rest of this month.