Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint Luke 1, 57-66, 80

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.”
But they answered her,
“There is no one among your relatives who has this name.”
So they made signs, asking his father what he wished him to be called.
He asked for a tablet and wrote, “John is his name,”
and all were amazed.
Immediately his mouth was opened, his tongue freed,
and he spoke blessing God.
Then fear came upon all their neighbors,
and all these matters were discussed
throughout the hill country of Judea.
All who heard these things took them to heart, saying,
“What, then, will this child be?”
For surely the hand of the Lord was with him.
The child grew and became strong in spirit,
and he was in the desert until the day
of his manifestation to Israel.

God’s mercy

1. Elizabeth. She is the figure of God’s mercy and also of God’s power, for with God, nothing is impossible. God always gives us hope; He reminds us that no one is dead or lost. For the Hebrew world, women who did not conceive a child suffered deep shame because their barrenness was attributed to some hidden wrong, sin, or flaw. But, through Elizabeth, God shows us that His logic is not the same as ours. He takes care of us and shows His power and His strength.
2. John. He is the child who leapt with joy in his mother’s womb in the presence of God made man, when Mary visited Elizabeth. How many unborn children have leaped in their mother’s womb when they feel God’s presence! Let’s pray for them today. Pray for those children who have been aborted. Let’s also pray that you may have the joy of experiencing God’s presence in your life. Return to God and remember that He gives you happiness.
3. Neighbors and friends. They represent God’s people who change from judgement to praise. We have done, and still do, this too, even in the Church. How many saints have been given a hard time in the Church? I’m thinking of Saint Francis, Saint John Bosco, Saint Anthony, Saint Pio of Pietrelcina and so many others. They suffered judgement and hard times, but now they are considered pillars of the Church! We must remember that God acts to manifest His power in everyone, even in those people who we judge.

God bless you and be with you in the name of the Father, of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. And never forget that something good is on the way.