God has Shown Favor
Once Zechariah’s “mouth
was opened,” he gave praise to God in the canticle known as the Benedictus
(which is not included in this Gospel reading).
In that song, Zechariah also pointed out his son’s mission, that is to
be “the prophet of the Most High,” “to prepare the Lord’s way,” and “to give
his people knowledge of salvation.”
Remarkably, even the name
that Zechariah and Elizabeth gave to their child, as instructed by the angel
Gabriel (Luke 1:13) already proclaims this knowledge of salvation. The name John means “God has shown favor.”
Moreover, at this moment,
while John was only eight days old, people already spoke of the favor God gave
to him and his parents in his birth. In
fact, “all these matters were discussed throughout the hill country of Judea.” And “all who heard these things” recognized
that “the hand of the Lord was with him.”
My life is already a sign
of God’s favor and that the Lord is with me.
How do I live that life to
be “the prophet of the Most High,” “to prepare the Lord’s way,” and “to give his
people knowledge of salvation”?
Image source: www.agnusday.org
