January 9th - Reflection

Reading
Luke 1:67-79 (NRSV)

The Savior is seen

Then his father Zechariah was filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke this prophecy:
"Blessed be the Lord God of Israel,
for he has looked favorably on his people and redeemed them.
He has raised up a mighty savior for us
in the house of his servant David,
as he spoke through the mouth of his holy prophets from of old,
that we would be saved from our enemies and from the hand of all who hate us.
Thus he has shown the mercy promised to our ancestors,
and has remembered his holy covenant,
the oath that he swore to our ancestor Abraham,
to grant us that we, being rescued from the hands of our enemies,
might serve him without fear, in holiness and righteousness
before him all our days.
And you, child, will be called the prophet of the Most High;
for you will go before the Lord to prepare his ways,
to give knowledge of salvation to his people
by the forgiveness of their sins.
By the tender mercy of our God,
the dawn from on high will break upon us,
to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death,
to guide our feet into the way of peace."

Reflection
We need those people like John the Baptist. Bold people that go ahead and tell it like it is. Bold people who take a stand and don't just go with the flow. Bold people who stand up for what is good and right. Bold people willing to move about and proclaim the presence of sin and evil. Bold people who, when they see an injustice, or evil, or sin, will not take the easy way out and remain complacent, but will declare in word and deed the stench of sin that is before all of us. We need those people! Through these people we gain the knowledge of our need for salvation outside of ourselves.

We can't save ourselves from sin and evil and death. The devil is way to tricky for that. We will fall to sin and be trapped every time when we try to do it all on our own. But, thanks be to God, Jesus came in truth and justice to rescue us from our sinful, evil selfish selves. Jesus took the stand that we ran away from. Jesus acted boldly and stood up for what is true and right! Jesus gave His very life for us.

So we need to listen to those like John the Baptist. Listen to the word and be willing to take the stand beside those who have been wronged by an injustice. Listen and be filled with that bold Spirit that brings Truth and not only have the faith and trust in God, but also to take the action that needs to be taken.

The path has been prepared and proclaimed. The forgiveness of sin and the knowledge of salvation has been made known. Believe the Truth and walk boldly with our Savior, today, tomorrow and forever.

Prayer
Lord, You have shown Your salvation to me. I walk boldly this day with You and stand up for Your Truth. I stand beside those whom You give to me this day who suffer from the evil of injustice, pain, hunger, persecution and abandonment, with You by my side to lead and guide my actions all along the way. --- Amen