Guide Our Feet Into The Way Of Peace

Guide Our Feet Into The Way Of Peace

December 24, 2012

Monday of the Fourth Week of Advent/Christmas Eve Day

After the king had taken up residence in his house, and the LORD had given him rest from his enemies on every side, the king said to Nathan the prophet, “Here I am living in a house of cedar, but the ark of God dwells in a tent!”  Nathan answered the king, “Whatever is in your heart, go and do, for the LORD is with you.”  2 Samuel 7:1-3

"You, my child, shall be called the prophet of the Most High, for you will go before the Lord to prepare his way, to give his people knowledge of salvation by the forgiveness of their sins.  In the tender compassion of our God the dawn from on high shall break upon us, to shine on those who dwell in darkness and the shadow of death, and to guide our feet into the way of peace."  Luke 1:76-79

Piety

Father, we stand on the threshold of the dawn of peace.  Help us to use this miracle to overcome the obstacle of doubt and to fulfill your will.  Jesus, open our eyes, our ears and our mouths to proclaim the Good News of your birth despite the efforts of humanity to act out our feeble attempts to live by our will, not yours.  Holy Spirit, bring the light of Christmas morning to warm our hearts and melt the ice of winter away so that we can walk the way of peace.  Amen.

Study

As the sun rises on this Christmas Eve Day, morning "pray-ers" around the world will once again recite the daily Canticle of Zechariah.  This song, sung by John the Baptist's father, occurs after his voice is restored.  Zechariah was originally silenced by the angel when he doubted the message that was being delivered about his son.  Despite being a temple elder, Zechariah was rendered mute because he dared to question the word of the angel and the actions of God.  At a time when people expected to hear him proclaim the name of his son, he had to announce it in writing, rather than in speaking.

Despite his earlier doubts when he had the encounter in the temple, Zechariah accepted the will of God as expressed in the naming of his son.  With this act of obedience,  mirrored in Mary's acceptance, Zechariah's voice was restored and he erupted in the prayer that forms today's Good News.  

The conclusion of the Canticle of Zechariah announces the pending Christmas miracle and summarizes the turning point in our salvation history -- expressed as one of the most poetic lines written by St. Luke:  "In the tender compassion of our God the dawn from on high shall break upon us, to shine on those who dwell in darkness and the shadow of death, and to guide our feet into the way of peace."  This is the miracle of the Incarnation that is almost upon us in the liturgical cycle.

Zechariah temporarily was rendered mute but his voice was restored through faith.  John the Baptist fulfilled the destiny his father proclaimed and delivered the words that prepared the world for the Word.  However, eventually, society in the form of Herod also tried to silence the message that John proclaimed but no mere mortal could silence and avert the will of God no matter how many heads were delivered to the queen on a platter.

Action

Looking around, we have many reasons to react to the Word the way Zechariah did -- with doubt and questions.  Through the accident of our birth in this place and time, we also are like King David -- living in a nice house while the Lord is about to be born in a cave. Yet, based upon all the blessings we have, much is expected of us -- just like the Lord and the people expected much from David and Zechariah.

Although we have many temptations to live out our will, what can you do today to emulate Zechariah and overcome your doubts?