Written by Sr. Rosemary Finnegan, O.P.
Readings from: http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/122419.cfm
Picture yourself not being able to speak for many months and when you finally can, imagine the first thing you’d do, hopefully, is praise the Lord! That’s what Zechariah did in our gospel today. After doubting the angel who told him that even in his old age he would have a son, Zechariah was struck mute until the child, his son, John the Baptist, was born. The words he spoke are a canticle, or hymn, which we know today as the Benedictus, the Latin word for ‘blessings’. It is a prayer which is often sung and proclaims the blessings of God who visits his people and fulfills his promises of salvation. This Benedictus is still said each day in the Liturgy of the Hours. Such is its importance, and how appropriate to hear it today, Christmas Eve, the day before we celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ, the fulfillment of God’s promises.
Because this beautiful prayer was often sung by the early Jewish community, I thought it very fitting to hear it sung today. This version is sung by a trio of Irish priests called “The Priests”, and I pray that as we listen, our hearts will be moved to great gratitude, like that of Zechariah’s, for the numerous blessings we have all received.
