“Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit, says the LORD Almighty.” (Zechariah 4:6)
The angel wakes Zechariah and shows him a solid gold lampstand with seven lights and seven channels to the lights, and two olive trees on each side. The word of the LORD to Zerubbabel: not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit, says the LORD Almighty. What are you, mighty mountain? Before Zerubbabel you will become level ground. Then he will bring out the capstone to shouts of 'God bless it! God bless it!' The hands of Zerubbabel have laid the foundation of this temple; his hands will also complete it. Then you will know that the LORD Almighty has sent me to you. Who despises the day of small things? For the seven eyes of the LORD, which range throughout the earth, will rejoice when they see the plumb line in the hand of Zerubbabel.
The Catechism identifies the Spirit who levels the mountain as the divine power that accomplishes what human strength cannot: the foundation of the Church is laid and completed not by human capacity but by the Spirit (CCC 747).
Brothers and sisters, not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit. Zerubbabel faces a mountain: the rebuilt temple seems impossible given the poverty of the returnees, the opposition of neighbours, the memory of Solomon's glory. The mountain is addressed directly: become level ground. The instrument of the levelling is not greater might or greater power but the Spirit. Where human capacity ends, the Spirit begins.
Lord God, level the mountains before us by your Spirit, not by our might or power. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.