Luke 1:67-79 (NRSV)
Read Luke 1:67-79 on biblegateway.com
Verse 67Then his father Zechariah was filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke this prophecy: Verse 68"Blessed be the Lord God of Israel, for he has looked favorably on his people and redeemed them. Verse 69He has raised up a mighty savior for us in the house of his servant David, Verse 70as he spoke through the mouth of his holy prophets from of old, Verse 71that we would be saved from our enemies and from the hand of all who hate us. Verse 72Thus he has shown the mercy promised to our ancestors, and has remembered his holy covenant, Verse 73the oath that he swore to our ancestor Abraham, to grant us Verse 74that we, being rescued from the hands of our enemies, might serve him without fear, Verse 75in holiness and righteousness before him all our days. Verse 76And you, child, will be called the prophet of the Most High; for you will go before the Lord to prepare his ways, Verse 77to give knowledge of salvation to his people by the forgiveness of their sins. Verse 78By the tender mercy of our God, the dawn from on high will break upon us, Verse 79to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace."
Devotion
From the song of Mary to the prophecy of Zechariah, God’s mercy is named five times. Meaning follows form in this repeated key term: that which will be born in a stable and come to dwell in humanity’s midst is first and foremost divine mercy. And the light of that mercy will be shed round about all who suffer in the darkness and death of despair and hopelessness.
Prayer
Merciful God, may your light shine in and upon us all, your people. Amen.