2 Samuel 7:1-5,8-12,14,16
Psalm 88(89):2-5,27,29
Luke 1:67-79
MAINTAIN AN ATTITUDE OF GRATITUDE FOR THE GIFT OF SALVATION; CHRIST JESUS.
Immediately following the circumcision and naming of the child John, Zechariah’s vocal faculties were restored, enabling him to extol the divine for both present and future acts of salvation. This incident underscores the pattern of extraordinary occurrences associated with those in proximity to Christ.
However, it is crucial not to let Zechariah’s exceptional experiences overshadow the significant interventions that God executes in our own lives. It is vital to maintain a posture of gratitude and to serve as witnesses to God’s salvific love at all times.
The very essence of our existence is extraordinary in itself. God’s fidelity to His covenant promises, epitomized in the Benedictus of Zechariah, resonates as an enduring testament to the ancient prophecies now realized in the person of Jesus Christ. The entirety of Jesus’ incarnation, ministry, Passion, death, and Resurrection represents a complex mystery that resists complete comprehension.
As we endeavor to deepen our understanding of this divine mystery during the current liturgical season, we are led to reflect on our vocations: What is our specific calling? Do we acknowledge that through our Baptism, we have been invited to embody Christ-like virtues, acknowledging the sovereignty of God over our lives? Furthermore, do we interpret our adversities as critical elements in the assessment of our steadfast loyalty and trust in God?
Ultimately, it is indeed the case that a profound awareness of our flaws and suffering can potentially lead to vulnerability; however, it is precisely through these fissures that the Light of the World, the Morning Star, can illuminate our existence.
O Wisdom,
O Lord and Ruler,
O Root of Jesse,
O Key of David,
O Morning Star,
O King of the Nations,
O Emmanuel,
Come, Lord Jesus.
Fr Joseph Osho
