Breaking the Word

Then Zechariah his father, filled with the holy Spirit, prophesied, saying: "Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel, for 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,…  (Lk 1:67-79)

Zechariah prophesied. His prophecy was one of blessing God for the work of redemption. God’s work of salvation has begun and it has begun from the house of David. This salvation was promised through all the prophets and it was an oath sworn to Abraham. This is a model song to sing regularly for the salvation received from God.

This salvation is a rescue from the enemies. Our God is a saviour-God. He has rescued us from evil, from danger and from difficulties and from situations of death. He rescued us from enemies who have threatened our life with fear   and those who hate. Salvation is to create a situation of freedom and liberty. It is in this freedom that we are called to worship God.

The child that is born is to give this knowledge of salvation. The child is the forerunner to this salvation and he has to reveal this salvation is from sin and dangers. The child that is born is not only to give the knowledge of salvation but also to inform the people that the saviour is at hand. The saviour is sent to the people because of the tender mercy of God.

When the time arrived for Elizabeth to have her child she gave birth to a son. Her neighbors and relatives heard that the Lord had shown his great mercy toward her, and they rejoiced with her. When they came on the eighth day to circumcise the child, they were going to call him Zechariah after his father, but his mother said in reply, "No. He will be called John." …(Lk 1:57-66)

Birth of a child was a celebration in those days. Celebration reached its peak because a barren woman gave birth to a son. Relatives and friends gathered around the family to celebrate.  The celebration was centred on the idea that God had shown mercy.  Birth of every child was divine action. God was praised and thanked for the birth of a child.

Circumcision was again an action in which Israelites remembered the covenant which God made with Abraham.  It was a sign of God covenant with the people. It was a constant reminder of the promise of God. As birth was a celebration of God’s mercy so also Circumcision was a celebration of God’s Covenant and promise.

Naming of the child was again an another occasion in which God’s divine action was celebrated.  It was all the more in the case of John because the name was given from God. It was not a social event. They were not naming him after his father or his forefathers. Name was a divine revelation. In this triple celebration Zacharias praised and blessed God for his divine intervention; for his covenant; for his promise and for his revelation.