Zachariah and Elizabeth in Scripture
Luke: 1
5-7 in the
days of Herod, King of Judea, 3 there was a priest named Zechariah of the
priestly division of Abijah; his wife was from the daughters of Aaron, and
her name was Elizabeth. Both were righteous in the eyes of God, observing
all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blamelessly. But they had no
child, 4 because Elizabeth was barren and both were advanced in years.
12-13
Zechariah was troubled by what he saw, and fear came upon him. But the angel
said to him, "Do not be afraid, Zechariah, because your prayer has been
heard. Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you shall name him John.
18-20 Then
Zechariah said to the angel, "How shall I know this? For I am an old man,
and my wife is advanced in years." And the angel said to him in reply, "I am
Gabriel, who stand before God. I was sent to speak to you and to announce to
you this good news. But now you will be speechless and unable to talk until
the day these things take place, because you did not believe my words, which
will be fulfilled at their proper time."
41-45 When Elizabeth heard
Mary's greeting, the infant leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth, filled with
the holy Spirit, cried out in a loud voice and said, "Most blessed are you
among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb. And how does this
happen to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? For at the
moment the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the infant in my womb
leaped for joy. Blessed are you who believed that what was spoken to you by
the Lord would be fulfilled."
60-64 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. |
The Canticle of
Zechariah
Luke 1:68-75;78-79
Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel, for he has visited and brought
redemption to his people. He has raised up a horn for our salvation within
the house of David his servant, even as he promised through the mouth of his
holy prophets from of old: salvation from our enemies and from the hand of
all who hate us, to show mercy to our fathers and to be mindful of his holy
covenant and of the oath he swore to Abraham our father, and to grant us
that, rescued from the hand of enemies, without fear we might worship him in
holiness and righteousness before him all our days because of the tender
mercy of our God by which the daybreak from on high will visit us to shine
on those who sit in darkness and death's shadow, to guide our feet into the
path of peace.
Elizabeth's Prayer
"Most blessed are you among
women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb. Blessed are you who believed
that what was spoken to you by the Lord would be fulfilled."
Prayer to Zachariah and Elizabeth
Parents of the one crying in the desert, "Prepare the way of the Lord," God
blessed you with a baby when you thought the situation was hopeless.
Intercede for us that our prayers for those we love will be answered soon.
May your story help us to trust God and praise Him in all things. Amen. |