Daily reflection _ fill you with joy and hope

FILL YOU WITH JOY AND HOPE
All longed for this - when the Messiah would come. Now Zechariah knows beyond a doubt that the day is very near.
Deacon John Ruscheinsky
The proclamation of the Gospel fills us with much joy and hope on our daily journey. When the Lord comes to redeem us He fills us with His Holy Spirit, which is the source of our joy and hope in the promises God has made. The Holy Spirit gave Zechariah a vision for his own son, as a prophet and forerunner who would prepare the way for the coming of the Messiah. All longed for this - when the Messiah would come. Now Zechariah knows beyond a doubt that the day is very near.
Like Zechariah, the Holy Spirit wants to give us vision, joy and confidence in the knowledge of God's merciful love, protection and care, which all come to us through Jesus Christ. Like John the Baptist we too are called to prepare the way. Life is a journey and we need to always move towards Christ the Lord. Christ gives us the life-giving Word and Spirit. He draws all to Himself and show us His love and mercy.
In the Responsorial Psalm we acclaim, "Forever I will sing the goodness of the Lord" (Ps 89:2). God founded the world and all that is in it with the strength of His arm and loving power. God's hand is mighty; His Kingdom is built on righteousness and justice, true love and faithfulness. We rejoice in God's glory and retell the story every Christmas of His wonderful deeds. God's history is ours as well. His Spirit is our life and we are His people.
On the feast of the Incarnation we celebrate with great joy the gracious gift of God in sending His Son to redeem us!