Luke 1:69-70, 71-72, 73-75
Chapter 1
69
In the house of David his servant,
he has raised up for us a victorious Savior;
70
as he promised through his prophets of old,
71
salvation from our enemies
and from the hand of our foes.
72
He has shown mercy to our fathers;
and remembered his holy Covenant,
73
the oath he swore to Abraham, our father,
74
to deliver us from the enemy,
75
that we might serve him fearlessly
as a holy and righteous people,
all the days of our lives.
Commentaries
Birth of John the Baptist.
John’s birth fulfills the angel’s words. Only when Zechariah joins the divine plan and confirms his son’s name does he regain his speech and praise the Lord. Zechariah’s canticle (67-79) recognizes the Lord’s power to care for his people and fulfill his promises; it also praises the coming of the Messiah, for whom John, his son, will prepare the way.