Video – Advent: Song of Zachariah – Fr. Mahan – CONF 458

Ave Maria!

Fr. Mahan on the Canticle of Zachariah called the "Benedictus" and how this song helps us to prepare for Advent and Christmas. It is the song that Zachariah sings (Luke 1:68-79) when he is given back his voice after his son John the Baptist, the precursor of Christ, is born in his old age.

Canticle of Zachariah: http://www.usccb.org/bible/luke#50001066

• “Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel, for he has visited and brought redemption to his people. He has visited and brought redemption to his people


• He has raised up a horn for our salvation within the house of David his servant,


• even as he promised through the mouth of his holy prophets from of old:


• salvation from our enemies and from the hand of all who hate us,


• to show mercy to our fathers


• and to be mindful of his holy covenant


• and of the oath he swore to Abraham our father,


• and to grant us that,


• rescued from the hand of enemies,  - which is primarily our own vices and opens our hearts,


• without fear we might worship him - Freedom to be holy, Freedom of Religion


• in holiness and righteousness before him all our days.


• And you, child, will be called prophet of the Most High,- we should be aware and appreciate our blessings from God especially what God wants from us in our discipleship.


• for you will go before the Lord to prepare his ways,


• to give his people knowledge of salvation - John baptized people to prepare them for the coming of Christ


• through the forgiveness of their sins,


• because of the tender mercy of our Gods


• by which the daybreak from on high will visit us - reflects the coming of Christ the light of the world coming to recreate the world. Let there be light.


• to shine on those who sit in darkness and death’s shadow,


• to guide our feet into the path of peace. - bring us to the paradise of heaven which begins on earth by being his disciple and be filled with the peace of the Holy Spirit.

This is the first talk of Fr. Mahan for the Advent Day of Reflection "Entering into the Mystery of the Incarnation with St. Luke" by reflecting on the three Gospel Canticles all found in the Gospel of Luke which itself provides so many details on the coming of Christ and His early life. As such, they provide a great preparation for Advent and Christmas. The day of reflection took place at the Mother of Redeemer Retreat Center in Bloomington, IN, on December 1, 2018.

Mother of Redeemer Retreat Center in Bloomington, IN: http://www.maryschildren.com/

For all the talks from this day of reflection: https://airmaria.com/tag/advent-day-of-reflection-2018/

Fr Mahan is pastor of St. John the Evangelist in Bloomington, IN and St. Jude the Apostle in Spencer, IN

and YouTube: https://youtu.be/oSLTduk7BQM

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