Today’s Reflection
Gospel: Luke 1: 67-69
December  24, 2025 | Wednesday

Today’s Gospel

Zechariah, filled with the Holy Spirit, sang this canticle: “Blessed be the Lord God of Israel, for he has come and redeemed his people. In the house of David his servant, he has raised up for us a victorious Savior; as he promised through his prophets of old, salvation from our enemies and from the hand of our foes.

He has shown mercy to our fathers; and remembered his holy Covenant, the oath he swore to Abraham, our father, to deliver us from the enemy, that we might serve him fearlessly, as a holy and righteous people, all the days of our lives.

And you, my child, shall be called Prophet of the Most High, for you shall go before the Lord, to prepare the way for him, and to enable his people to know of their salvation, when he comes to forgive their sins.

This is the work of the mercy of our God, who comes from on high, as a rising sun, shining on those who live in darkness and in the shadow of death, and guiding our feet into the way of peace.”

Today’s Reflection

The Gospel passage introduces us to Zechariah’s song of praise, Benedictus, a significant piece that resonates with the intertwined theme of justice and peace.

On the one hand, the song begins with the declaration that the Lord has come to his people and set them free. This divine coming is a profound act of justice, fulfilling the promises made to Abraham and the prophets. It signifies God’s unwavering commitment to restoring His creation and ushering in justice. This emphasis on God’s commitment can reassure us and instill hope.

On the other hand, the song ends with an affirmation that the Lord guides us in the way of peace. In the biblical sense, peace is more than the absence of conflict; it refers to the wholeness and completeness that comes from living in the right relationship with God. This relationship involves our partnership with the Lord in bringing about his reign of love, justice, and peace on earth.

In his City of God, St. Augustine delves into the divine order and justice, describing peace as ‘the tranquility of order.’ This profound insight not only enlightens us but also inspires us, suggesting that true peace is the outcome of justice, a state where everything is in its rightful place under God’s rule.

We must, therefore, actively work for justice to bring about God’s peace.

/Vulnerasti, 2025