Monday of the
Fourth Week of Advent
(II
Samuel 7:1-5.8b-12.14a.16; Luke 1:67-79)
Today’s gospel is comprised entirely of the song or
canticle of Zechariah, the father of John the Baptist. It is commonly called the Benedictus, the Latin for its first word
“’Blessed.’” Zechariah is singing praise
to God on the occasion of His new-born son John’s circumcision. The song, however, keeps the Messiah, Jesus
Christ, front and center. He is the
“mighty Savior” who will have come to free Israel from its oppressors. John serves as the Messiah’s forerunner, the
one who “’go(es) before the Lord to prepare his way.’”
Something akin to Matthew’s genealogy, Zechariah’s
canticle underscores a relationship of the Messiah to two essential figures of
the Old Testament. First in the order of
the canticle, Jesus comes from the David’s lineage. As the first reading promises, he will establish
an eternal dynasty bearing David’s name.
Just as important, Jesus fulfills the oath God made to Abraham. The patriarch’s descendants are to be as
countless as the stars in the sky. St.
Paul will note how this prophecy is fulfilled with the Gentiles coming to
practice the faith of Abraham.
The time is at hand.
Jesus is to be born. He will both
fulfill Old Testament prophecies and provide the New Testament hope of eternal
life. We must open our hearts and minds
to him. Our response begins easily
enough tonight. It continues as we carry
our individual crosses in life. It ends
with our taking a place among God’s glorified.
