Thursday of the Fourth Week of Advent – December 24 (Mass in the Morning)
The Lord Is Here to Set Us Free
Liturgical Cycle: B | Lectionary Cycle: I
Introduction
The Lord had promised that God would set his people free by no less than his own Son. Was the promise finally fulfilled? It was the beginning of the fulfillment. Everything was there to make it real and effective, except the people who would have to put it into practice. For God created us free, and that means he relies on us, on our acceptance and cooperation, on our love. We have to let God make his peace and love come true among us. With and through Jesus. That’s why he came among us as one of us. Here I am, human like you. Look at me and see how it is to be done. Do it with me. I am with you and stay with you to give you the strength. Come, let’s begin. Now.
Opening Prayer
Lord, loving and mighty God,
you fulfilled your promise to save us
when Jesus, your Son, became one of us.
We are no longer in the dark,
for you let your light shine on us.
Bring us your salvation now,
set us really free from our sins,
let us become fully human with Jesus
and go with him in your way of peace and love.
Let him be our strength,
our constant companion on the road,
that through him and growing in his humanity,
we may be your beloved sons and daughters.
We ask this through Christ our Lord.
First Reading
2 Samuel 7:1-5, 8b-12, 14a, 16
PROMISE AND SIN
David’s Dynasty Promise and Prayer
When the king had settled in his palace, and the Lord had rid him of all his surrounding enemies,
he told Nathan the prophet: “Look, I live in a house of cedar, but the Ark of God is housed in a tent.”
Nathan replied: “Do as it seems fit to you, for the Lord is with you.”
But that very night, the Lord’s word came to Nathan:
“Go and tell my servant David, this is what the Lord says: Are you able to build a house for me to live in?
Now you will tell my servant David, this is what the Lord of Hosts says: I took you from the pasture, from tending the sheep, to make you commander of my people Israel.
I have been with you wherever you went, cutting down all your enemies before you. Now, I will make your name great, as the name of the great ones on earth.
I will provide a place for my people, Israel, and plant them so that they may live there in peace. They shall no longer be harassed, nor shall wicked men oppress them as before.
From the time when I appointed judges over my people Israel, it is only to you that I have given rest from all your enemies. The Lord also tells you that he will build you a house.
When the time comes for you to rest with your ancestors, I will raise your son after you, the one born of you, and secure his reign.
I will be a father to him, and he shall be my son. If he does wrong, I will punish him with the rod, as men do.
Your house and your reign shall last forever before me, and your throne shall remain firm.”
Responsorial Psalm
R. (2) For ever I will sing the goodness of the Lord.
The favors of the LORD I will sing forever;
through all generations my mouth shall proclaim your faithfulness.
For you have said, “My kindness is established forever”;
in heaven you have confirmed your faithfulness.
R. For ever I will sing the goodness of the Lord.
“I have made a covenant with my chosen one,
I have sworn to David my servant:
Forever will I confirm your posterity
and establish your throne for all generations.”
R. For ever I will sing the goodness of the Lord.
“He shall say of me, ‘You are my father,
my God, the rock, my savior.’
Forever I will maintain my kindness toward him,
and my covenant with him stands firm.”
R. For ever I will sing the goodness of the Lord.
Alleluia Verse
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
O Radiant Dawn,
splendor of eternal light, sun of justice:
come and shine on those who dwell in darkness and in the shadow of death.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Gospel
Zechariah, filled with the Holy Spirit, prophesied:
“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.”
Prayers of the Faithful
– For people who are hard and demanding, that God may make them sensitive to others and compassionate, we pray:
– For those who feel especially these days how lonely and fearful they are, that their brothers and sisters in the Lord may bring them support and warmth, we pray:
– For people who feel how empty their lives are, that they may find the Lord and learn from him how love and service can enrich them, we pray:
Prayer over the Gifts
Lord God, our Father,
we join Jesus your Son in his feast meal
of the bread and wine of himself,
that we may become more and more like him
and live the way he lived.
Let a new era begin now;
let this food and drink make us free
to create peace among people,
to bring justice and love to our world,
and to walk together on the way
to your home of joy without end.
We ask this in the name of Jesus the Lord.
Prayer after Communion
God, our merciful Father,
we have heard the Good News of your Son
and we ask you to fulfill it in us today.
Do not allow us to remain afraid
of committing ourselves to your dream
of a new heaven and a new earth.
Let the Spirit of Jesus be alive in us,
that everywhere there may be light instead of the dark,
justice where there is discrimination and inhumanity,
love where there is hatred.
Let your Son live and stay with us,
now and till we safely reach your home,
for Jesus is our Lord for ever. Amen.
Blessing
Blessed be the Lord our God who shows us his mercy and takes us up into his covenant of love. All praise to him. You, and all who are dear to you, receive the blessing of almighty God, the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
REFLECTIONS
Gospel: Luke 1:67-79
Singing of Mercy
Zechariah’s words are powerful, because they emerge from 9-month long incubation of a God-experience in silence and prayer. There is one thing in common in the songs of Zechariah and Mary: a sense of absolute gratitude to God’s mercy that reigns supreme. “This is the work of the mercy of our God,” Zechariah declares. Such is the conclusion of anyone who has had a God experience. Ascetic Silouan the Athonite, an eastern Orthodox saint, arrived at great humility after long years of spiritual trials, and thereafter he prayed and wept for the whole world as for himself. One of his sayings goes thus: “Understand two thoughts, and fear them. One says, ‘You are a saint,’ and the other, ‘You won't be saved.’ Both of these thoughts are from the enemy, and there is no truth in them. But think this way: I am a great sinner, but the Lord is merciful.” Soon we will sing, like Zechariah, celebrating this Mercy-Made-Flesh.
Gospel: Luke 1:67-79
A Vision of Mercy, Peace, and Prophetic Hope
The Canticle of Zechariah, also known as the Benedictus, offers a reflection on God’s fidelity and mercy. Rooted in the faith of the early Christian community, this hymn of praise celebrates the fulfilment of divine promises, and the Church uses this daily in the morning prayers.
The Canticle of Praise opens with expressions of gratitude for God’s presence among His people, highlighting His eternal love for them. Let’s consider what it signifies for us today to sing this song of praise at the beginning of each day. After a night of sleep that metaphorically silences us, God allows us to speak again, and one of our first acts is to offer this blessing as the dawn breaks to illuminate our lives and lead us to peace.
In Benedictus, we align ourselves with the mission of St. John the Baptist, who prepared the way for the Lord by witnessing God’s salvation and living simply and penitently. Our daily task, then, is to use our voices—like Zechariah and his son, John the Baptist—to share God’s presence with everyone we encounter.
In the song of Zachariah, he foresees that: "the sun that rises from above will visit us ...". God continues to be with his people – visit his people. And each faithful receives the call to be the prophet to prepare the ways of God.
Would you dare to make a song to the Lord for the mercies you have received in abundance from your God? Are you joining this beautiful mission to which the Lord invites you to? Do you have a beautiful wish as you move on to celebrate Christmas?