Read Luke 1:57-80
"Praise be to the Lord, the God of Israel, because he has come and has redeemed his people."
Luke 1:67
As we already saw, there are 4 canticles (poetic songs) in the first two chapters of Luke’s gospel. This second one is called the ‘Benedictus’, an exuberant song of thanksgiving to God for the mercy He has shown by sending the Promised Saviour to save us out of the prison of sin, fear and death and to deliver us from the dominion of the evil one. The first part (1:68-75) speaks about Jesus and the second part (1:76-79) about John the Baptist and his role as the one who will prepare the way for the Lord.
The name John in Hebrew means ‘God is gracious’ and reminds us that all that God does is rooted in grace. Grace is God’s kind, merciful and unmerited disposition towards us sinners. John was the one who would pave the way for Jesus who St Paul describes as. “the grace of God that brings salvation (which) appeared to all men” (Titus 2:11).
Thank God today for his grace towards you and pray the Benedictus.
Lord, I could never earn your love and forgiveness. I would never have thought in my wildest dream that your graciousness towards me led you to come down here on earth to save me. Help me grasp that your mercy and grace never end and help me respond to you wholeheartedly.