24th December, Thursday I. Is 45: 6c-8, 18, 21-25
II. Lk 1:67-79
Theme: Blessing God.
The Gospel reading for this last day of the Advent season is the continuation of the story of John’s birth. In this Gospel, Zechariah is filled with the Holy Spirit. He is prophesying that a Saviour will come to his people. The Saviour will “save” them and “set them free”. This canticle of Blessing God a spontaneous expression of his faith and joy in the Lord. John was a gift and a miracle of God for Zechariah. He praises the Lord for delivering him from the curse of not having a child. He knew for sure that his son was not born to continue his posterity but to fulfil God’s plan.
The holy spirit gave Zechariah a foreknowledge of his son as a prophet and a forerunner who would prepare the way for the Messiah. So, Zechariah experienced the Lord, and sang the hymn of praise. John experienced the Lord and he dedicated his life to prepare the way for the Lord’s coming. Like Zechariah we too are called to bless God in our day today life for all the gifts and graces what we received. At the same time like John, we too are called to prepare the way that leads to Christ experience.
Bro. Santhosh Prabhu SMM
III BTH