Gospel: Luke 1:67-79
Zechariah, filled with the Holy Spirit, sang this canticle: ”Blessed be the Lord God of Israel, for he has come and redeemed his people.
In the house of David his servant, he has raised up for us a victorious Savior; as he promised through his prophets of old, salvation from our enemies and from the hand of our foes.
He has shown mercy to our fathers; and remembered his holy Covenant, the oath he swore to Abraham, our father, to deliver us from the enemy, that we might serve him fearlessly, as a holy and righteous people, all the days of our lives.
And you, my child, shall be called Prophet of the Most High, for you shall go before the Lord, to prepare the way for him, and to enable his people to know of their salvation, when he comes to forgive their sins.
This is the work of the mercy of our God, who comes from on high, as a rising sun, shining on those who live in darkness and in the shadow of death, and guiding our feet into the way of peace.”
Reflections
“Blessed be the Lord.”
My experience of the Typhoon Haiyan cannot be forgotten. Houses made of light materials were easily blown off by the strong winds. Even our seminary which we thought can hold on the tough winds, was in shambles.
Our Gospel reading today is all about the Benedictus of Zechariah. Zechariah says “… He has raised up for us a mighty savior, born of the house of his servant David.”. Indeed, it is the Lord who gives strength to the house of Israel.
The first reading beautifully describes that it is really the Lord not any man or King David that will have to build a house for His people.
As we enter the Christmas season, let us remember that our God is made flesh in our midst and dwells among us. We have the confidence that we can surmount every sufferings and difficulties coming our ways. Even with the strong typhoons and calamities in life we are assured that God is with us till the end.
© Copyright Bible Diary 2019
