*** 1st Reading ***  

2 Samuel 7:1-5, 8b-12, 14a 16

When the king had settled in his palce

And Yahweh had rid him of all his surrounding enemies, he said to Nathan the prophet, “Look, I live in a house of cedar but the Ark of God is housed in a tent.”Nathan replied, “Do as it seems fit to you for Yahweh is with you.”

But that very night, Yahweh’s word came to Nathan, “Go and tell my servant David, this is what Yahweh says: Are you able to build a house for me to live in?

Now you will tell my servant David, this is what Yahweh of Hosts says: I took you from the pasture, from tending the sheep, to make you commander of my people Israel. I have been with you wherever you went, cutting down all your enemies before you.

Now I will make your name great, as the name of the great ones on earth. I will provide a place for my people Israel and plant them that they may live there in peace. They shall no longer be harassed, nor shall wicked men oppress them as before.

From the time when I appointed judges over my people Israel it is only to you that I have given rest from all your enemies. Yahweh also tells you that he will build you a house. When the time comes for you to rest with your ancestors, I will raise up your son after you, the one born of you; and I will make his reign secure.

I will be a father to him and he shall be my son. If he does wrong, I will punish him with the rod, as men do. your house and your geign shall last forever before me, and your throne shall be forever firm.”

 

Ps 89:2-3, 4-5, 27 & 29

 For ever I will sing the goodness of the Lord.

 

**** 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."

 

Gospel Reflection

Zechariah is one of the many priests who served in the Temple in Jerusalem. But he is also one among the many who hope for the fulfillment of God's promise. He dedicated his entire life to looking forward to the day of the Lord.

And when he is blessed to see his baby son who will later be the fore-runner to the Christ, he sings his song of praise and gratitude to God who is ever faithful to His promise. But not all of us are as lucky as Zechariah.

For sure many others have waited like him before. God operates in God's time and not according to our expectations. The story of Zechariah however assures us that even if what we are waiting for does not happen in our lifetime, it will surely come as dawn comes every morning. For God's words are true and God remembers.