Ups and Downs

On the eve of Christmas, we have the Canticle of Zechariah (Luke 1).

It is proclaimed during Morning Prayer.

Religious communities pray it. Priests are bound to pray it. Lay people pray it, too.

Why?

It is a canticle of salvation.

We need to be saved. If you are not self-sufficient, feel sinful and broken at times, have your ups and downs, then you’ll get it.

Zechariah ‘was filled with the Holy Spirit’ as he spoke the prophecy.

He was not having a pity-party. He was not on a downward spiral.

He needed to be saved.

Amen.