Elizabeth and Zechariah, Parents of St. John the Baptist

Dear Lord, through Your Apostle, St. Paul, You've taught us that there are three great virtues, Faith, Hope and Love, but the greatest of all is Love. Help me to understand that in order to love You and to love my neighbor, I must be alive. Father, help me to value my life, and all life, and give me courage to respect, defend, and, if necessary, die to protect the right of everyone to live as You will them to. Amen.

Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel;
he has come to his people and set them free.
He has raised up for us a mighty savior,
born of the house of his servant David.
Through his holy prophets he promised of old
that he would save us from our enemies,
from the hands of all who hate us.
He promised to show mercy to our fathers
and to remember his holy covenant.
This was the oath he swore to our father Abraham:
to set us free from the hands of our enemies,
free to worship him without fear,
holy and righteous in his sight
all the days of our life.
Luke 1:68-75

Readings for today from the Daily Lectionary
(click on underlined link to go directly to the reading)
Sirach 11:2-20 - Revelation 9:13-21 - Luke 10:38-42