Chapter 3: Zechariah

  In the time of Herod king of Judea there was a priest named Zechariah, who belonged to the priestly division of Abijah; his wife Elizabeth was also a descendant of Aaron. Both of them were upright in the sight of God, observing all the Lord's commandments and regulations blamelessly.  But they had no children, because Elizabeth was barren; and they were both well along in years. 

But the angel said to him: "Do not be afraid, Zechariah; your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you are to give him the name John. 

Zechariah asked the angel, "How can I be sure of this? I am an old man and my wife is well along in years."   The angel answered, "I am Gabriel. I stand in the presence of God, and I have been sent to speak to you and to tell you this good news. And now you will be silent and not able to speak until the day this happens, because you did not believe my words, which will come true at their proper time." 

Rabbi, you have one of the stranger 
stories in this quest for faith.

Yes, it has been strange... and wonderful ...and painful.  

How is it painful?

Because sometimes faith must be forced upon us.”

OK.  I’ll bite.  How is faith forced on you?

The activity of faithfulness is sometimes detrimental to the having of faith.  You can be so busy with the process of your calling that you forget that the process is meant to draw you closer to God.  

So, you’re saying that being a man of God, a minister, 
makes it difficult for you to have faith.

No, no.  It’s not the being that’s the problem. It’s the doing.  Doing the things of God is supposed to show us God in us, and with us.  But you can sometimes concentrate on doing everything just so; be so adamant and keeping the traditions, that it makes it difficult for God to break through to us with something new.

Difficult but not impossible.

Exactly, with God nothing is impossible. He is always faithful to us, even when we are unfaithful in the activity of our faithfulness .  He never forgets the reason He calls us.  And he will remind us whatever way is most expedient.  

And how did he remind you?

For me, it was a club to the head.  For my wife it was a kiss.”