In the house of David his servant, he has raised up for us a victorious Savior; as he promised
through his prophets of old, salvation from our enemies and from the hand of our foes. He has
shown mercy to our fathers; and remembered his holy Covenant, the oath he swore to Abraham,
our father, to deliver us from the enemy, that we might serve him fearlessly, as a holy and
righteous people, all the days of our lives. And you, my child, shall be called Prophet of the Most
High, for you shall go before the Lord, to prepare the way for him, and to enable his people to know
of their salvation, when he comes to forgive their sins. This is the work of the mercy of our God,
who comes from on high, as a rising sun, shining on those who live in darkness and in the shadow
of death, and guiding our feet into the way of peace.”

Reflect:

Zechariah’s words are powerful, because they emerge from 9-month long incubation of a
God-experience in silence and prayer. There is one thing in common in the songs of Zechariah
and Mary: a sense of absolute gratitude to God’s mercy that reigns supreme. “This is the work
of the mercy of our God,” Zechariah declares. Such is the conclusion of anyone who has had
a God experience. Ascetic Silouan the Athonite, an eastern Orthodox saint, arrived at great
humility after long years of spiritual trials, and thereafter he prayed and wept for the whole world
as for himself. One of his sayings goes thus: “Understand two thoughts, and fear them. One says,
‘You are a saint,’ and the other, ‘You won't be saved.’ Both of these thoughts are from the enemy,
and there is no truth in them. But think this way: I am a great sinner, but the Lord is merciful.” Soon
we will sing, like Zechariah, celebrating this Mercy-Made-Flesh.

© Copyright Bible Diary 2022