For surely the hand of the Lord was with him

MONDAY 23 DECEMBER (Lk 1,57-66)

The Father accomplishes his works with the hands of his Only Son, of his Eternal Word and with the Holy Spirit who is his Eternal and Divine Wisdom. All that is God’s external work is the fruit of the Blessed Trinity. Thus the Book of Sirach: “Wisdom sings her own praises, before her own people she proclaims her glory; In the assembly of the Most High she opens her mouth, in the presence of his hosts she declares her worth: “From the mouth of the Most High I came forth, and mistlike covered the earth. In the highest heavens did I dwell, my throne on a pillar of cloud. The vault of heaven I compassed alone, through the deep abyss I wandered. Over waves of the sea, over all the land, over every people and nation I held sway. Among all these I sought a resting place; in whose inheritance should I abide? “Then the Creator of all gave me his command, and he who formed me chose the spot for my tent, Saying, ‘In Jacob make your dwelling, in Israel your inheritance.’ Before all ages, in the beginning, he created me, and through all ages I shall not cease to be. In the holy tent I ministered before him, and in Zion I fixed my abode. Thus in the chosen city he has given me rest, in Jerusalem is my domain. I have struck root among the glorious people, in the portion of the Lord, his heritage.

These are words about Wisdom that must never be forgotten: “Like a cedar on Lebanon I am raised aloft, like a cypress on Mount Hermon, Like a palm tree in En-gedi, like a rosebush in Jericho, Like a fair olive tree in the field, like a plane tree growing beside the water. Like cinnamon, or fragrant balm, or precious myrrh, I give forth perfume; Like galbanum and onycha and sweet spices, like the odor of incense in the holy place. I spread out my branches like a terebinth, my branches so bright and so graceful. I bud forth delights like the vine, my blossoms become fruit fair and rich. Come to me, all you that yearn for me, and be filled with my fruits; You will remember me as sweeter than honey, better to have than the honeycomb. He who eats of me will hunger still, he who drinks of me will thirst for more; He who obeys me will not be put to shame, he who serves me will never fail” ” (Sir 24,1-22). Who is John the Baptist? He is the person who was seized by the Holy Spirit when he was still in the womb of his Mother and prepared, assisted, brought up by him, made to grow to accomplish a unique mission: preparing hearts to adhere to Christ. Indicating to the world the Lamb of our ransom, the one who removes sin by expiating it in his body.

When the time arrived for Elizabeth to have her child she gave birth to a son. Her neighbours 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 neighbours, 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.

Who is the Apostle of the Lord? Who is the minister of the Word? Who is the disciple of Jesus? He who lets himself be grasped by the Holy Spirit, according to very particular modes and ways, charismas and missions, so that his whole life may be lived in function and in the service of Christ the Lord. As the Father does nothing without the Son and the Holy Spirit, as the Son does nothing without the Father and the Holy Spirit, as the Holy Spirit works everything from the Father and the Son, so must every Apostle of the Lord, every minister of the Word be. The missionary of Jesus must always be from the love of the Father, from the grace of the Son and from the communion of truth and light of the Holy Spirit from beginning to end.

Mother of God, Angels and Saints ensure that the Christian is from the Father, from the Son and from the Spirit.