Zechariah his father, filled with the Holy Spirit, prophesied, saying:
“Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel;
for he has come to his people and set them free.
He has raised up for us a mighty Savior,
born of the house of his servant David.
Through his prophets he promised of old
that he would save us from our enemies,
from the hands of all who hate us.
He promised to show mercy to our fathers
and to remember his holy covenant.
This was the oath he swore to our father Abraham:
to set us free from the hand of our enemies,
free to worship him without fear,
holy and righteous in his sight
all the days of our life.
You, my child, shall be called the prophet of the Most High,
for you will go before the Lord to prepare his way,
to give his people knowledge of salvation
by the forgiveness of their sins.
In the tender compassion of our God
the dawn from on high shall break upon us,
to shine on those who dwell in darkness and the shadow of death,
and to guide our feet into the way of peace.”
You, my child, shall be called the prophet of the Most High, for you will go before the Lord to prepare his way, to give his people knowledge of salvation by the forgiveness of their sins.
This reading is called the canticle of Zachariah. It is read every day in the liturgy of the hours, Morning Prayer. Like the magnificat of Mary this canticle harmonizes the character of Zachariah with his position as a the high priest.Zachariah was the high priest of the temple, he alone was the one that offers prayer and sacrifice on behalf of the people. But in this moment when his son is born and his voice is restored, it is then that his vocation is completely fullfilled. The high priest’s job was to show the people right worship and bringing their prayers to the lord, and finally teaching them about God’s law. And that is ultimately what he is doing in this moment.
This reading is called the benedictus by our church fathers, because it includes the 18 benedictions that sum up all the hopes of all of Isreal. This is more than just hope though, it is the fulfillment of all of the law and the prophets, from the patriarchs to this very moment. Zachariah is ultimately recognizing that this momemnt is the hinge upon which all of Israel is waiting, and he is telling his son that he will be the one that will proclaim the coming of our lord, like Isaiah foretold in centuries before. It is indeed a momentus occasion, and an incredible prophesy of the coming of the lord and His son’s part in announcing that advent.
Zachariah prior to this moment, had been mute for 9 months. But because of his obedience to the angel of the Lord, in naming his son “John,” his toungue was loosened. He did not waste the moment, instead he use the this time to prophesy, and proclaim the momentus nature of what was coming. He must have been dying to say these word for weeks, or maybe when given the chance, with the help of the Holy Spirit, it all just comes pouring out.
But this passage is a prophesy for his son, it is as if he is speaking directly to him, and him alone. The boy is only 8 days old, but just like when John heard the voice of Mary, and jumped in his mother’s womb, we know that this boy can hear the word of God when it is spoken. But nevertheless, Zachariah’s message perfectly predicts what will happen in the next 33 years, that John will be the one that Isaiah predicted, who will make striaght way for the lord, and who will baptise for the forgiveness of sins. The message is truly impressive, and is without a doubt inspired by the Holy Spirit, and it reminds us that we too need to be more like John and make striaght the way of the lord into our own hearts, and welcome him into our lives as wekk, for tomorrow he will be here.
