Solemnity of the Nativity of Saint John the
Baptist - Mass during the Day
Lectionary: 587
Lectionary: 587
Hear me, O coastlands,
listen, O distant peoples.
The LORD called me from birth,
from my mother’s womb he gave me my name.
He made of me a sharp-edged sword
and concealed me in the shadow of his arm.
He made me a polished arrow,
in his quiver he hid me.
You are my servant, he said to me,
Israel, through whom I show my glory.
Though I thought I had toiled in vain,
and for nothing, uselessly, spent my strength,
yet my reward is with the LORD,
my recompense is with my God.
For now the LORD has spoken
who formed me as his servant from the womb,
that Jacob may be brought back to him
and Israel gathered to him;
and I am made glorious in the sight of the LORD,
and my God is now my strength!
It is too little, he says, for you to be my servant,
to raise up the tribes of Jacob,
and restore the survivors of Israel;
I will make you a light to the nations,
that my salvation may reach to the ends of the earth.
listen, O distant peoples.
The LORD called me from birth,
from my mother’s womb he gave me my name.
He made of me a sharp-edged sword
and concealed me in the shadow of his arm.
He made me a polished arrow,
in his quiver he hid me.
You are my servant, he said to me,
Israel, through whom I show my glory.
Though I thought I had toiled in vain,
and for nothing, uselessly, spent my strength,
yet my reward is with the LORD,
my recompense is with my God.
For now the LORD has spoken
who formed me as his servant from the womb,
that Jacob may be brought back to him
and Israel gathered to him;
and I am made glorious in the sight of the LORD,
and my God is now my strength!
It is too little, he says, for you to be my servant,
to raise up the tribes of Jacob,
and restore the survivors of Israel;
I will make you a light to the nations,
that my salvation may reach to the ends of the earth.
Responsorial
PsalmPS 139:1B-3, 13-14AB, 14C-15
R. (14) I
praise you, for I am wonderfully made.
O LORD, you have probed me, you know me:
you know when I sit and when I stand;
you understand my thoughts from afar.
My journeys and my rest you scrutinize,
with all my ways you are familiar.
R. I praise you for I am wonderfully made.
Truly you have formed my inmost being;
you knit me in my mother’s womb.
I give you thanks that I am fearfully, wonderfully made;
wonderful are your works.
R. I praise you, for I am wonderfully made.
My soul also you knew full well;
nor was my frame unknown to you
When I was made in secret,
when I was fashioned in the depths of the earth.
R. I praise you, for I am wonderfully made.
O LORD, you have probed me, you know me:
you know when I sit and when I stand;
you understand my thoughts from afar.
My journeys and my rest you scrutinize,
with all my ways you are familiar.
R. I praise you for I am wonderfully made.
Truly you have formed my inmost being;
you knit me in my mother’s womb.
I give you thanks that I am fearfully, wonderfully made;
wonderful are your works.
R. I praise you, for I am wonderfully made.
My soul also you knew full well;
nor was my frame unknown to you
When I was made in secret,
when I was fashioned in the depths of the earth.
R. I praise you, for I am wonderfully made.
Reading 2ACTS 13:22-26
In those days, Paul said:
“God raised up David as king;
of him God testified,
I have found David, son of Jesse, a man after my own heart;
he will carry out my every wish.
From this man’s descendants God, according to his promise,
has brought to Israel a savior, Jesus.
John heralded his coming by proclaiming a baptism of repentance
to all the people of Israel;
and as John was completing his course, he would say,
‘What do you suppose that I am? I am not he.
Behold, one is coming after me;
I am not worthy to unfasten the sandals of his feet.’
“My brothers, sons of the family of Abraham,
and those others among you who are God-fearing,
to us this word of salvation has been sent.”
“God raised up David as king;
of him God testified,
I have found David, son of Jesse, a man after my own heart;
he will carry out my every wish.
From this man’s descendants God, according to his promise,
has brought to Israel a savior, Jesus.
John heralded his coming by proclaiming a baptism of repentance
to all the people of Israel;
and as John was completing his course, he would say,
‘What do you suppose that I am? I am not he.
Behold, one is coming after me;
I am not worthy to unfasten the sandals of his feet.’
“My brothers, sons of the family of Abraham,
and those others among you who are God-fearing,
to us this word of salvation has been sent.”
AlleluiaSEE LK 1:76
R. Alleluia,
alleluia.
You, child, will be called prophet of the Most High,
for you will go before the Lord to prepare his way.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
You, child, will be called prophet of the Most High,
for you will go before the Lord to prepare his way.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
GospelLK 1:57-66, 80
When the time arrived for Elizabeth to have her child
she gave birth to a son.
Her neighbors and relatives heard
that the Lord had shown his great mercy toward her,
and they rejoiced with her.
When they came on the eighth day to circumcise the child,
they were going to call him Zechariah after his father,
but his mother said in reply,
“No. He will be called John.”
But they answered her,
“There is no one among your relatives who has this name.”
So they made signs, asking his father what he wished him to be called.
He asked for a tablet and wrote, “John is his name,”
and all were amazed.
Immediately his mouth was opened, his tongue freed,
and he spoke blessing God.
Then fear came upon all their neighbors,
and all these matters were discussed
throughout the hill country of Judea.
All who heard these things took them to heart, saying,
“What, then, will this child be?”
For surely the hand of the Lord was with him.
The child grew and became strong in spirit,
and he was in the desert until the day
of his manifestation to Israel.
she gave birth to a son.
Her neighbors and relatives heard
that the Lord had shown his great mercy toward her,
and they rejoiced with her.
When they came on the eighth day to circumcise the child,
they were going to call him Zechariah after his father,
but his mother said in reply,
“No. He will be called John.”
But they answered her,
“There is no one among your relatives who has this name.”
So they made signs, asking his father what he wished him to be called.
He asked for a tablet and wrote, “John is his name,”
and all were amazed.
Immediately his mouth was opened, his tongue freed,
and he spoke blessing God.
Then fear came upon all their neighbors,
and all these matters were discussed
throughout the hill country of Judea.
All who heard these things took them to heart, saying,
“What, then, will this child be?”
For surely the hand of the Lord was with him.
The child grew and became strong in spirit,
and he was in the desert until the day
of his manifestation to Israel.
Meditation: "The
hand of the Lord was with him"
Birthdays are a special time to remember and give
thanks for the blessings that have come our way. Are you grateful for the ways
that God has worked in your life, even from your birth? In many churches of the
East and West the birth of John the Baptist is remembered on this day. The
friends of Zechariah and Elizabeth marveled at the wonderful way in which God
blessed them with a child. This child was destined by God for an important
mission. The last verses in the last book of the Old Testament, taken from the
prophet Malachi, speak of the Lord’s messenger, the prophet Elijah who will
return to "turn the hearts of fathers to their children and the hearts of
children to their fathers" (Malachi 4:6).
Birth and mission of John the Baptist
We see the beginning of the fulfillment of this word when the Angel Gabriel announced to Zechariah the marvelous birth and mission of John the Baptist (Luke 1:17). When this newly born child was about to be named, as customary on the eighth day, his relatives quibbled over what name to give him. (Don't relatives today often do the same when the time comes for naming a newborn?) This child, however has been named from above! And Elizabeth is firm in her faith and determined to see that God be glorified through this child. The name John means "the Lord is gracious". In the birth of John and in the birth of Jesus the Messiah we see the grace of God breaking forth into a world broken by sin and without hope. John’s miraculous birth shows the mercy and favor of God in preparing his people for the coming of its Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
We see the beginning of the fulfillment of this word when the Angel Gabriel announced to Zechariah the marvelous birth and mission of John the Baptist (Luke 1:17). When this newly born child was about to be named, as customary on the eighth day, his relatives quibbled over what name to give him. (Don't relatives today often do the same when the time comes for naming a newborn?) This child, however has been named from above! And Elizabeth is firm in her faith and determined to see that God be glorified through this child. The name John means "the Lord is gracious". In the birth of John and in the birth of Jesus the Messiah we see the grace of God breaking forth into a world broken by sin and without hope. John’s miraculous birth shows the mercy and favor of God in preparing his people for the coming of its Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
John the Baptist's life was fueled by one burning
passion - to point others to Jesus Christ and to the coming of God's kingdom.
Scripture tells us that John was filled with the Holy Spirit even from his
mother's womb (Luke 1:15, 41) by Christ himself, whom Mary had just conceived
by the Holy Spirit. When Mary visited her cousin Elizabeth, John lept in the
womb of Elizabeth as they were filled with the Holy Spirit (Luke 1:41). The
fire of the Spirit dwelt in John and made him the forerunner of the coming
Messiah. John was led by the Spirit into the wilderness prior to his ministry
where he was tested and grew in the word of God. John's clothing was
reminiscent of the prophet Elijah (see Kings 1:8).
John broke the prophetic silence of the previous
centuries when he began to speak the word of God to the people of Israel. His
message was similar to the message of the Old Testament prophets who chided the
people of God for their unfaithfulness and who tried to awaken true repentance
in them. Among a people unconcerned with the things of God, it was his work to
awaken their interest, unsettle them from their complacency, and arouse in them
enough good will to recognize and receive Christ when he came.
God's gracious gift to us
What is the significance of John the Baptist and his message for our lives? When God acts to save us he graciously fills us with his Holy Spirit and makes our faith come "alive" to his promises. Each and every day the Lord is ready to renew us in faith, hope, and love. Like John the Baptist, the Lord invites each of us to make our life a free-will offering to God. God wants to fill us with his glory all the days of our lives, from birth through death. Renew the offering of your life to God and give him thanks for his mercy and favor towards you.
What is the significance of John the Baptist and his message for our lives? When God acts to save us he graciously fills us with his Holy Spirit and makes our faith come "alive" to his promises. Each and every day the Lord is ready to renew us in faith, hope, and love. Like John the Baptist, the Lord invites each of us to make our life a free-will offering to God. God wants to fill us with his glory all the days of our lives, from birth through death. Renew the offering of your life to God and give him thanks for his mercy and favor towards you.
"Lord Jesus, you bring hope and salvation to a
world lost in sin, despair, and suffering. Let your grace refresh and restore
your people today in the hope and joy of your great victory over sin and
death."
Daily Quote from the early church fathers: Parallels between John and Jesus, by
Ephrem the Syrian (306-373 AD)
"The elderly Elizabeth gave birth to the last of
the prophets, and Mary, a young girl, to the Lord of the angels. The daughter
of Aaron gave birth to the voice in the desert (Isaiah 63:9), but the daughter
of David to the strong God of the earth. The barren one gave birth to him who
remits sins, but the Virgin gave birth to him who takes them away (John 1:29).
Elizabeth gave birth to him who reconciled people through repentance, but Mary
gave birth to him who purified the lands of uncleanness. The elder one lit a
lamp in the house of Jacob, his father, for this lamp itself was John (John
5:35), while the younger one lit the Sun of Justice (Malachi 4:2) for all the
nations. The angel announced to Zechariah, so that the slain one would proclaim
the crucified one and that the hated one would proclaim the envied one. He who
was to baptize with water would proclaim him who would baptize with fire and
with the Holy Spirit (Matthew 3:11). The light, which was not obscure, would
proclaim the Sun of Justice. The one filled with the Spirit would proclaim
concerning him who gives the Spirit. The priest calling with the trumpet would
proclaim concerning the one who is to come at the sound of the trumpet at the
end. The voice would proclaim concerning the Word, and the one who saw the dove
would proclaim concerning him upon whom the dove rested, like the lightning before
the thunder." (excerpt from COMMENTARY ON
TATIAN’S DIATESSARON 1.31)
SOLEMNITY OF THE NATIVITY OF SAINT JOHN
THE BAPTIST
FRIDAY, JUNE 24, LUKE 1:57-66, 80
(Isaiah 49:1-6; Psalm 139; Acts 13:22-26)
FRIDAY, JUNE 24, LUKE 1:57-66, 80
(Isaiah 49:1-6; Psalm 139; Acts 13:22-26)
KEY VERSE: "And he was in the desert until the day of his manifestation to Israel" (v 80).
TO KNOW: For centuries, the voice of the prophets had been silent. That silence was broken with the proclamation of John the Baptist, the last and greatest of the prophets, who stood at the threshold between the Old and New Testament. This new era was symbolized by the loosening of the tongue of Zechariah (John's father). While offering incense in the Temple, Zechariah had doubted the angel's announcement of the forthcoming birth of a son (Lk 1:20), and he became mute. On the day of John's circumcision (a rite incorporating the child as a member of the people of Israel, Gn 17:9-12), Zechariah obeyed the angel's command by naming his son John meaning "Yahweh is gracious." Zechariah regained his voice and sang praises to God for having "visited his people with redemption" (v 68). The people were amazed, wondering what would become of this favored child of God. The gospel tells us that John's mission was to prepare the way for the Lord.
TO LOVE: Do I use my tongue to offer praise to God?
TO SERVE: St. John the Baptist, pray that I might be a courageous witness to God's kingdom.
NOTE: THE NATIVITY OF JOHN THE BAPTIST
The Church commemorates the saints on the date of their deaths, or “heavenly birthdays.” The Nativity of John the Baptist is one of two exceptions to the rule in that the commemoration is the birth of the saint rather than the day of his death. The other exception is the Virgin Mary. It should also be noted, however, that the date of Mary’s Assumption into Heaven (August 15) is also kept by the Church. As to the date of the birth of John the Baptist, nothing can be said with certainty. The Gospel suggests that the Baptist was born about six months before Christ; but the year of Christ's nativity has not so far been ascertained. Being born exactly half a year before Christ, John the Baptist declared that his mission was preparing the way for the Lord. The Church celebrates the birth of John the Baptist at the time of the year (June 24) when the days begin to grow shorter after the summer solstice, whereas the Nativity of Christ occurs (December 25) when the days begin to grow longer after the winter solstice. This is an embodiment of the words spoken by the Baptist, after the beginning of Christ's preaching: "He must increase, but I must decrease" (John 3:30).
The Church commemorates the saints on the date of their deaths, or “heavenly birthdays.” The Nativity of John the Baptist is one of two exceptions to the rule in that the commemoration is the birth of the saint rather than the day of his death. The other exception is the Virgin Mary. It should also be noted, however, that the date of Mary’s Assumption into Heaven (August 15) is also kept by the Church. As to the date of the birth of John the Baptist, nothing can be said with certainty. The Gospel suggests that the Baptist was born about six months before Christ; but the year of Christ's nativity has not so far been ascertained. Being born exactly half a year before Christ, John the Baptist declared that his mission was preparing the way for the Lord. The Church celebrates the birth of John the Baptist at the time of the year (June 24) when the days begin to grow shorter after the summer solstice, whereas the Nativity of Christ occurs (December 25) when the days begin to grow longer after the winter solstice. This is an embodiment of the words spoken by the Baptist, after the beginning of Christ's preaching: "He must increase, but I must decrease" (John 3:30).
Friday 24 June, 2016
Fri 24th. Birthday of St John
the Baptist. Isaiah 49:1-6. I praise you, for I am wonderfully made—Ps
138(139):1-3, 13-15. Acts 13:22-26. Luke 1:57-66, 80.
The gift of
life.
The birth of a
child is cause for celebration. The birth of John the Baptist, the much-awaited
son of Elizabeth and Zechariah, is a special one. There is an atmosphere of
blessing.
The Psalm’s refrain ‘I praise
you, for I am wonderfully made’ is celebratory too of the gift of life, the
magnificent creation of God. Sometimes, we are so consumed by worry, anxiety
and fear, that we forget the simple joy of a birth.
We see death all around us,
and forget that there are seasons. Sit for a moment and remember when a
significant birth has taken place in your life, perhaps of a relative, a
daughter or son, a friend or a niece or nephew.
Let the feelings of that
moment penetrate your prayer today.
MINUTE
MEDITATIONS
|
Our Lady’s Garments
|
Let us pray to Our Lady, that she may protect us. In times of
spiritual upset, the safest place is within the folds of her garments.
June 24
Solemnity of the Nativity of St. John the Baptist
Solemnity of the Nativity of St. John the Baptist
Jesus
called John the greatest of all those who had preceded him: “I tell you, among
those born of women, no one is greater than John....” But John would have
agreed completely with what Jesus added: “[Y]et the least in the kingdom of God
is greater than he” (Luke 7:28).
John
spent his time in the desert, an ascetic. He began to announce the coming of
the Kingdom, and to call everyone to a fundamental reformation of life.
His
purpose was to prepare the way for Jesus. His Baptism, he said, was for
repentance. But One would come who would baptize with the Holy Spirit and fire.
John is not worthy even to carry his sandals. His attitude toward Jesus was:
“He must increase; I must decrease” (John 3:30).
John
was humbled to find among the crowd of sinners who came to be baptized the one
whom he already knew to be the Messiah. “I need to be baptized by you” (Matthew
3:14b). But Jesus insisted, “Allow it now, for thus it is fitting for us to
fulfill all righteousness” (Matthew 3:15b). Jesus, true and humble human as well
as eternal God, was eager to do what was required of any good Jew. John thus
publicly entered the community of those awaiting the Messiah. But making
himself part of that community, he made it truly messianic.
The
greatness of John, his pivotal place in the history of salvation, is seen in
the great emphasis Luke gives to the announcement of his birth and the event
itself—both made prominently parallel to the same occurrences in the life of
Jesus. John attracted countless people (“all Judea”) to the banks of the
Jordan, and it occurred to some people that he might be the Messiah. But he
constantly deferred to Jesus, even to sending away some of his followers to
become the first disciples of Jesus.
Perhaps
John’s idea of the coming of the Kingdom of God was not being perfectly
fulfilled in the public ministry of Jesus. For whatever reason, he sent his
disciples (when he was in prison) to ask Jesus if he was the Messiah. Jesus’
answer showed that the Messiah was to be a figure like that of the Suffering Servant
in Isaiah (chapters 49 through 53). John himself would share in the pattern of
messianic suffering, losing his life to the revenge of Herodias.
Comment:
John challenges us Christians to the fundamental attitude of Christianity—total dependence on the Father, in Christ. Except for the Mother of God, no one had a higher function in the unfolding of salvation. Yet the least in the kingdom, Jesus said, is greater than he, for the pure gift that the Father gives. The attractiveness as well as the austerity of John, his fierce courage in denouncing evil—all stem from his fundamental and total placing of his life within the will of God.
John challenges us Christians to the fundamental attitude of Christianity—total dependence on the Father, in Christ. Except for the Mother of God, no one had a higher function in the unfolding of salvation. Yet the least in the kingdom, Jesus said, is greater than he, for the pure gift that the Father gives. The attractiveness as well as the austerity of John, his fierce courage in denouncing evil—all stem from his fundamental and total placing of his life within the will of God.
Quote:
"And this is not something which was only true once, long ago in the past. It is always true, because the repentance which he preached always remains the way into the kingdom which he announced. He is not a figure that we can forget now that Jesus, the true light, has appeared. John is always relevant because he calls for a preparation which all men need to make. Hence every year there are four weeks in the life of the Church in which it listens to the voice of the Baptist. These are the weeks of Advent" (A New Catechism).
"And this is not something which was only true once, long ago in the past. It is always true, because the repentance which he preached always remains the way into the kingdom which he announced. He is not a figure that we can forget now that Jesus, the true light, has appeared. John is always relevant because he calls for a preparation which all men need to make. Hence every year there are four weeks in the life of the Church in which it listens to the voice of the Baptist. These are the weeks of Advent" (A New Catechism).
LECTIO DIVINA: NATIVITY OF
SAINT JOHN THE BAPTIST
Lectio
Divina: Friday, June 24, 2016
Birth of the Precursor of the Lord
1. LET US RECOLLECT OURSELVES IN PRAYER – STATIO
Prayer
of Cardinal Mercier to the Holy Spirit
Oh
God, who has instructed your faithful, enlightening their hearts with the light
of the Holy Spirit, grant us that in the same Spirit we may have the desire to
do good and to enjoy always his comfort.
May
there be Glory, adoration, love, and blessing to You Eternal Divine Spirit, Who
has brought to earth for us the Saviour of our souls. And may there be glory
and honour to His most adorable Heart Who loves us with an infinite love.
Oh
Holy Spirit, soul of my soul, I adore You: enlighten me, guide me, strengthen
me, console me, teach me what I should do, give me your orders.
I
promise to submit myself to all that will happen to me, allowed by You: I ask
only that I may know Your Will.
2. PRAYERFUL READING OF THE WORD - LECTIO
From
the Gospel according to Luke (1, 57-66.80)
The
time came for Elizabeth to have her child, and she gave birth to a son; and
when her neighbours and relations heard that the Lord had lavished on her his
faithful love, they shared her joy. Now it happened that on the eighth day they
came to circumcise the child; they were going to call him Zechariah after his
father, but his mother spoke up. 'No,' she said, 'he is to be called John.'
They said to her, 'But no one in your family has that name,' and made signs to
his father to find out what he wanted him called. The father asked for a
writing-tablet and wrote, 'His name is John.' And they were all astonished. At
that instant his power of speech returned and he spoke and praised God. All their
neighbours were filled with awe and the whole affair was talked about
throughout the hill country of Judaea. All those who heard of it treasured it
in their hearts. 'What will this child turn out to be?' they wondered. And
indeed the hand of the Lord was with him.
Meanwhile
the child grew up and his spirit grew strong. And he lived in the desert until
the day he appeared openly to Israel.
3. PONDERING THE WORD - MEDITATIO
3.1.
Key to the Reading
This
passage of the Gospel forms part of the so called accounts of the infancy of
Jesus. In a particular way this text follows the scene of the Visitation of
Mary “in the house of Zechariah” (Lk 1, 40) after the event of the Annunciation
of the Angel, the messenger of the new creation.
In
fact, the Annunciation inaugurates in a joyful way the fulfilment of God’s
promise to His People (Lk 1, 26-38). The joy of the new times, which filled
Mary, now inundates the heart of Elizabeth. She rejoices with the announcement
brought by Mary (Lk 1, 41). Mary, on the other hand, “magnifies the Lord” (Lk
1, 46) because He has worked great things in her, just as He has worked great
marvels for His people in need of salvation.
The
expression “the time came” reminds us that this reality does not only strike
Elizabeth about to give birth, but reveals also something of God’s project. In
fact, Saint Paul tells us that when the completion of the time came, God sent
His Only Begotten Son “born of a woman, born a subject of the Law, to redeem
the subjects of the Law, so that we could receive adoption of sons” of God (Gal
4, 4).
In
the Gospel Jesus in fact, speaks about the completion of times, especially in
the Gospel of John. Two of these times are the wedding at Cana (Jn 2, 1-12) and
the agony on the cross where Jesus exclaims that “all is fulfilled” (Jn 19,
30). In the fulfilment of the times Jesus inaugurates an era of salvation. The
birth of John the Baptist inaugurates this time of salvation. In fact, at the
arrival of the Messiah he exults and leaps in the womb of his mother, Elizabeth
(Lk 1, 44). Later on, he will define himself as the friend of the bridegroom
(Jesus) who exults and rejoices because of the event of the wedding with the
bride, the Church (Jn 3, 29).
The
son will not be named as his father Zechariah, but John. Zechariah reminds us
that God does not forget His people. In fact, his name means “God remembers”.
His son will now be called “God remembers”, because God’s promises were being
fulfilled. The prophetic mission of John has to indicate God’s mercy. In fact,
he will be called Johanan, that is “God is mercy”. This mercy is manifested in
the visit to the People, precisely “as he had promised by the mouth of his holy
prophets of ancient times” (Lk 1, 67-70). Thus, the name indicates the mission
of the one about to be born. Zechariah will write the name of his son on a
tablet so that all could see with admiration (Lk 1, 63). This tablet is the
echo of another inscription, written by Pilate to be fixed on the cross of
Jesus. This inscription revealed the identity of the mission of the Crucified:
“Jesus, the Nazarene, King of the Jews” (Jn 19, 19). This writing also provoked
the admiration of those who were in Jerusalem for the feast.
John
is the precursor of Jesus in everything. Already since his birth and childhood
he points out to Christ. “Who will this child be? He is “the voice which cries
out in the desert” (Jn 1, 23), impelling all to prepare the way of the Lord. He
is not the Messiah (Jn 1, 20), but he indicates this with his preaching and
above all with his life style of asceticism in the desert. Meanwhile the child
grew up and his spirit grew strong. He lived in the desert until the day he
appeared openly to Israel”. (Lk 1, 80).
3.1.1.
Questions to direct the meditation and the carrying out
-
What has struck you in this passage and in the reflection?
-
John identifies himself as the friend of the bridegroom. According to you, what
is the meaning of this image?
-
John the Baptist has always been seen by the Church as its type. He is the one
who prepares the way for the Lord. Does this have some relevance for our daily
life?
4. ORATIO
Let
us bless the Lord together with Zechariah (Lk 1, 68-79)
Blessed
be the Lord, the God of Israel,
for
he has visited his people, he has set them free,
and
he has established for us a saving power
in
the House of his servant David,
just
as he proclaimed,
by
the mouth of his holy prophets from ancient times,
that
he would save us from our enemies
and
from the hands of all those who hate us,
and
show faithful love to our ancestors,
and
so keep in mind his holy covenant.
This
was the oath he swore to our father Abraham,
that
he would grant us, free from fear,
to be
delivered from the hands of our enemies,
to
serve him in holiness and uprightness in his presence,
all
our days.
And
you, little child,
you
shall be called Prophet of the Most High,
for
you will go before the Lord to prepare a way for him,
to
give his people knowledge of salvation
through
the forgiveness of their sins,
because
of the faithful love of our God
in
which the rising Sun has come from on high to visit us,
to
give light to those who live in darkness
and
the shadow dark as death,
and
to guide our feet into the way of peace.
5. CONTEMPLATIO
Let
us all together adore the mercy and the goodness of God repeating in silence:
Glory
be to the Father, and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit.
As it
was in the beginning is now and ever shall be,
world
without end. Amen
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