Journeying With Christ: The Coptic Month of Kiahk of the Nativity FastSample

Week 4 Theme: The Birth of St. John the Forerunner

Day 3: St. Zacharias' Prophecy

In today's reading, we witness the powerful prophecy of St. Zacharias, filled with the Holy Spirit, as he proclaims the coming of the Messiah and the role of his son, St. John the Forerunner, in preparing the way. This moment is a testament to the power of prophecy and the fulfillment of God's promises. As we continue our journey with Christ, we meditate on the significance of prophecy and its guidance in our lives. The Early Church Father, St. John Chrysostom, teaches that prophecy is a gift from God to guide and instruct His people. Let us therefore listen attentively to the prophetic voice of God and respond in faith.

Prophecy is not merely a prediction of future events but a divine revelation and message delivered through chosen individuals. St. Zacharias, in his prophetic utterance, acknowledged the long-awaited fulfillment of God's promise to send the Savior. He declared that St. John the Forerunner would go before the Lord to prepare His way, granting knowledge of salvation to the people.

Prophecy is not one's own utterance, but rather an inspired interpretation of what is revealed. Prophecy is rooted in God's revelation and serves as a guiding light to His people. It directs our attention to the fulfillment of His promises and points us toward the redemptive work of Christ. As we journey with Christ, we encounter various forms of prophecy—through Scripture, through the prompting of the Holy Spirit, and through the words of those who speak God's truth. We are called to listen attentively, discerning the voice of God in our lives. Prophecy awakens us to God's presence and invites us to align our lives with His purposes.

St. Zacharias' prophecy also highlights the role of St. John the Forerunner as the one who would prepare the way for the Lord. His mission was to turn the hearts of the people back to God, preparing them to receive the Messiah. In a world filled with distractions and wayward paths, the prophetic voice calls us to repentance and renewal. St. John Chrysostom reminds us, “For such is the loving-kindness of God; He never turns his face away from a sincere repentance” - to return to God after being separated from Him is the purpose of repentance. Prophecy awakens our hearts to the need for repentance, urging us to realign our lives with God's will and in St. Paul’s writings, repentance is the return of man to God, which entails a realization of man’s separation from God and the deep sorrow that comes from that realization. St. John Chrysostom beautifully expresses this, saying, "Repentance opens the heavens, takes us to Paradise, overcomes the devil. Have you sinned? Do not despair! If you sin every day, then offer repentance every day! When there are rotten parts in old houses, we replace the parts with new ones, and we do not stop caring for the houses. In the same way, you should reason for yourself: if today you have defiled yourself with sin, immediately clean yourself with repentance".

The fulfillment of prophecy in the person of Jesus Christ fills us with hope and joy. Through His life, death, and resurrection, Christ offers salvation to all who believe in Him. The words of St. Zacharias echo the dawn of redemption and the fulfillment of God's covenant with His people.

As we reflect on Zacharias' prophecy, let us open our hearts to the prophetic voice of God. May we heed His call to repentance, allowing His words to guide our steps and shape our lives. Let us embrace the fulfillment of God's promises through Christ, rejoicing in the dawn of redemption and as we journey with Christ, may we remember that prophecy continues to be a gift for His people, guiding us closer to His heart and His purposes.