Gospel – Luke 1:67-79
Now the time came for Elizabeth to give birth, and she bore a son. Her neighbours and relatives heard that the Lord had shown his great mercy to her, and they rejoiced with her. On the eighth day they came to circumcise the child, and they were going to name him Zechariah after his father.
But his mother said, “No; he is to be called John.” They said to her, “None of your relatives has this name.” Then they began motioning to his father to find out what name he wanted to give him. He asked for a writing tablet and wrote, “His name is John.”
And all of them were amazed. Immediately his mouth was opened and his tongue freed, and he began to speak, praising God. Fear came over all their neighbours, and all these things were talked about throughout the entire hill country of Judea. All who heard them pondered them and said, “What then will this child become?” For, indeed, the hand of the Lord was with him.
The Gospel of the Lord
The Mass intention is for
Our Lady’s – Mary Newham RIP /Liam Dowling, RIP
Holy Cross – Nicholas Williams RIP
Reflection:
Our Gospel today presents Zechariah’s hymn of praise at the birth of John has many parallels with Mary’s Magnificat. It is firmly rooted in the Old Testament and the faith story of the people. The prayer focusses primarily on Jesus, as Saviour, not John. God is faithful to the promises God has made. John is the prophet who will go before the Lord to prepare the way and give knowledge of salvation. The tender mercy of God offers light, hope and the way of peace.
Zechariah’s tongue was loosened at the birth of John who would become the voice to announce the presence of Jesus, the eternal Word. Where am I called to be a voice to introduce Jesus? Where am I rendered silent by fear or doubt in living my faith? In my prayer, I can give thanks to the
The Benedictus is a prayer of prophecy about the coming of the Saviour. This “Most High” that Zechariah mentions comes not in a cloud of glory, but as a vulnerable child, with an ordinary family, in a cold stable. That is the kind of God we have. This babe in a manger brings light to those in darkness and takes away all our sins, doing away with the power of evil.
- What do I say to him, who loves me beyond all love?
- Do I truly believe that God has redeemed me? I hope you do?
