Today's antiphon, O Radix Jesse: O Root of Jesse’s stem, sign of God’s love for all his people: come to save us without delay! (Isaiah 1:1; 11:10)

A reading from the holy Gospel according to Luke (Lk 1:5-25)

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."

Luke recounts the story of Zechariah and Elizabeth. During Zechariah's service in the sanctuary of the temple, the angel Gabriel appears to him, causing Zechariah to be troubled and afraid to announce the birth of their son, John the Baptist. The angel describes John’s role as a great prophet who will prepare the way for the Lord and "turn the hearts of fathers toward children and the disobedient to the understanding of the righteous." When Zechariah expresses doubt and fear, he is made mute until the fulfillment of the angel's words in the birth of John. Elizabeth then conceives and in seclusion delights in what the Lord has done for her in his divine intervention.

God, the O Antiphon for today ends with "come to save us without delay!" It brings to mind the familiar prayer said in the Liturgy of the Hours, "O God, come to my assistance; O Lord, make haste to help me." Keep my faith supple, Lord, able to discern your works even as I wrestle with doubt and fear. Not by my own power can I save myself, Lord, but by you alone, the giver of all good gifts. Gabriel tells Zechariah what the outcome of John's consecrated birth will bring: "And you will have joy and gladness, and many will rejoice at his birth, for he will be great in the sight of the Lord." Help me be attentive to what you bring to fruition today; let me be a witness to the joy and gladness that follow as you come to my assistance.

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.