A Reading from the Holy Gospel according to Luke (1:67-79)
Zechariah his father, filled with the Holy Spirit, prophesied, saying:
“Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel;
for he has come to his people and set them free.
He has raised up for us a mighty Savior,
born of the house of his servant David.
Through his prophets he promised of old
that he would save us from our enemies,
from the hands of all who hate us.
He promised to show mercy to our fathers
and to remember his holy covenant.
This was the oath he swore to our father Abraham:
to set us free from the hand of our enemies,
free to worship him without fear,
holy and righteous in his sight
all the days of our life.
You, my child, shall be called the prophet of the Most High,
for you will go before the Lord to prepare his way,
to give his people knowledge of salvation
by the forgiveness of their sins.
In the tender compassion of our God
the dawn from on high shall break upon us,
to shine on those who dwell in darkness and the shadow of death,
and to guide our feet into the way of peace.”
Reflection: This morning’s Gospel, from Luke, is a prophetic song of praise, sung by Zechariah (father of John the Baptist), and it is known as the Benedictus, named for its first Latin word (“Blessed be”). Zechariah sang it, after regaining his speech (following doubt of the angel Gabriel), to thank God for fulfilling messianic promises, heralding salvation, and recognizing his son, John’s role, as the forerunner, preparing the way for the Lord.
The Gospel opening line, reminds us that salvation is not a passive waiting game; God is actively engaged with His people. Zechariah, speaks of God raising up, “…a mighty Savior,” who will “…save us from our enemies, from the hands of all who hate us…to set us free to worship him without fear, holy and righteous in his sight all the days of our life.”
In our times, the “enemies” we face may not always be, physical armies. They manifest as anxieties, social pressures, injustices, and spiritual darkness—Satan himself, that seek to diminish our faith and hope. Zechariah’s message assures us, that God has provided a path to freedom, from these modern enemies, through Jesus Christ; “You, my child, shall be called the prophet of the Most High, for you will go before the Lord to prepare his way, to give his people knowledge of salvation by the forgiveness of their sins.”
Zechariah foretold John’s mission: to prepare the way. Similarly, we are called to be modern-day heralds, in our own communities. After all, as children of God, through our baptism, we are made “priests, PROPHETS, and kings. Meaning, we are to announce and prepare, the Lord’s way to all. How do we do that today? By living out our faith, practicing charity, seeking justice, and offering forgiveness. By helping others recognize, their need for a Savior, demonstrating that true peace comes, not from material wealth or social status, but from the forgiveness of sins, and a relationship with God; “…the tender compassion of our God.”
This is the heart of our hope. God’s tender mercy is, the “dawn from on high” that dispels the darkness. We connect to this in our modern lives, by actively seeking this light. When faced with despair, violence, or uncertainty, the light of Christ guides our feet.
Action for the day: As you navigate the complexities of this day, remember that the Lord has indeed “come to His people.” You, and all His children, are called to live as a people who have been set free, who walk in His light. Then, think of someone who may need the light of Christ and “…give light to those who live in darkness and in the shadow of death…” through prayer, generosity, act of kindness and love.
Audio Reflection:
