Daily Gospel
READING OF THE DAY
A reading from the Second Book of Samuel
2 Sm 7:1-5, 8b-12, 14a, 16
When King David was settled in his palace,
and the LORD had given him rest from his enemies on every side,
he said to Nathan the prophet,
“Here I am living in a house of cedar,
while the ark of God dwells in a tent!”
Nathan answered the king,
“Go, do whatever you have in mind,
for the LORD is with you.”
But that night the LORD spoke to Nathan and said:
“Go, tell my servant David, ‘Thus says the LORD:
Should you build me a house to dwell in?
“‘It was I who took you from the pasture
and from the care of the flock
to be commander of my people Israel.
I have been with you wherever you went,
and I have destroyed all your enemies before you.
And I will make you famous like the great ones of the earth.
I will fix a place for my people Israel;
I will plant them so that they may dwell in their place
without further disturbance.
Neither shall the wicked continue to afflict them as they did of old,
since the time I first appointed judges over my people Israel.
I will give you rest from all your enemies.
The LORD also reveals to you
that he will establish a house for you.
And when your time comes and you rest with your ancestors,
I will raise up your heir after you, sprung from your loins,
and I will make his Kingdom firm.
I will be a father to him,
and he shall be a son to me.
Your house and your Kingdom shall endure forever before me;
your throne shall stand firm forever.’”
GOSPEL OF THE DAY
From the Gospel according to Luke
Lk 1:67-79
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.”
Saturday of the Fourth Week of Advent
Mass in the Morning
December 24, 2022 –
(Lk 1:67-79)
God’s Word for Us
The Word of God for today speaks of Zechariah’s prophecy about the supreme Son of God. The Son of the Most High God came down to earth as a man because of His love for mankind. Zechariah’s prophecy was fulfilled when God gave up everything to come down to earth as a man, allowing humanity to see the face of God. The image of God the Father, who is invisible, is expressed through the Son of God who came to earth as a man. God is the supreme God who gave up everything to take on the human condition in order for man to be happy in the love of God the Father.
God revealed to humanity that: The Son of God came to earth to save people from the captivity of Satan, from the suffering and darkness that weigh on the soul and body. Because of His great love, the Son of God did not care about glory and honor. He accompanied people everywhere at all times, especially sinful, weak, lowly people. He always invites these people to run to God to be inspired by His light and love.
God revealed to mankind that the words that Zechariah prophesied about a supreme God coming down as a man have now been fulfilled, that is, the Son of God came to earth to sacrifice and die for the salvation of mankind. God is in the midst of our humanity, but many have not recognized the Son of God as the God of love. Many people have abandoned God and distrusted Him.
Today, God wants to call on all humanity to run to the God of love. Zechariah’s prophecies were true, and the Holy Spirit Himself enlightened and guided him, so that he could give honor, praise, and glory to God. Also, to show mankind God’s power and strength were shown to Zechariah when the messenger brought the Word of God to him. It was a time of happiness, joy, and rejoicing, because the Word of God was fulfilled, and he had a child in his family. It was with joy that he lifted up his praises and glorifications to God. In today’s world, there are many people who are also filled with God’s grace, so everyone is invited to worship God and give praise, thanksgiving, and glory to Him as Zechariah did. Praise and honor to God will bring joy and happiness to oneself and will please God the Father.
God the Father says to humanity: Stay awake and enter the way of God’s saving light. It is this way of the light of salvation that has been practiced for more than two thousand years, that is since the Son of God came to earth as a man. God invites all mankind: Prepare and open your hearts to welcome the coming of the Son of God as He becomes man, and prepare your hearts to sing praises to God, and to await the day God descends.
God wants humanity today to rejoice and to sing joyfully as we await the Son of God as He becomes man in the coming moments. Cleanse your heart and make it pure to welcome the Son of God into your soul and body through the Eucharist.
Thanks Be to God. Amen.
