Today's Reflections
The Canticle of Zechariah
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Lk 1:67-79
67Zechariah, filled with the holy Spirit, prophesied, saying: 68“Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel,/ for he has visited and brought redemption to his people./ 69He has raised up a horn for our salvation/ within the house of David his servant,/ 70even as he promised through the mouth of his holy prophets from of old:/ 71salvation from our enemies and from the hand of all who hate us,/ 72to show mercy to our fathers/ and to be mindful of his holy covenant/ 73and of the oath he swore to Abraham our father,/ and to grant us that, 74rescued from the hand of enemies,/ without fear we might worship him 75in holiness and righteousness/ before him all our days./ 76And you, child, will be called prophet of the Most High,/ for you will go before the Lord to prepare his ways,/ 77to give his people knowledge of salvation/ through the forgiveness of their sins,/ 78because of the tender mercy of our God/ by which the daybreak from on high will visit us/ 79to shine on those who sit in darkness and death’s shadow,/ to guide our feet into the path of peace.”
Reflection:
He has visited and brought redemption to his people. Zechariah breaks into song and sings of God’s tender mercy as he speaks of “the daybreak from on high” that will visit the people. Already he sees that God has visited and brought redemption to his people to show his mercy. We can resonate with Zechariah’s joy in anticipation of the coming of Someone greater than his newborn son John, because in a few hours we shall be hearing the announcement of the birth of the Savior who will shine on those who sit in darkness and death’s shadow.
Jesus brings joy even when his birth is only anticipated. He brings greater joy when he is born. He is the joy of every human heart that receives him. Let us be apostles of joy by bringing the good news of salvation to other people.
If we cannot sing like Zechariah, let us speak of him
who fulfills God’s promise of salvation.
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