The Gospel according
to
St. Luke
Chapter 1
1. Since many have undertaken to set down an orderly account of the events that have been fulfilled among us, 2. just as they were handed on to us by those who from the beginning were eyewitnesses and servants of the word, 3. I too decided, after investigating everything carefully from the very first, to write an orderly account for you, most excellent Theophilius, 4. so that you may know the truth concerning the things about which you have been instructed.
(The Gospel according to St. Luke Chapter 1 verses 1 to 4)
Oh God, my Father I thank You for giving us all particular talents that even match our character. Luke appears to be a very dedicated and organised person and therefore he has compiled the events found in this gospel with both accuracy and dedication. I thank You for calling such people, for by means of them we have received the Good News. Moreover, as a consequence of the Gospels, You have also inspired me to pray on Your Word and publish it online to anyone who is willing to listen and pray on Your Word and experience a new relationship of love with You that can then be transferred to others during the course of our daily life Amen.
5. In the days of King Herod of Judea, there was a priest named Zechariah, who belonged to the priestly order of Abijah. His wife was a descendant of Aaron, and her name was Elizabeth. 6. Both of them were righteous before God, living blamelessly according to all the commandments and regulations of the Lord. 7. But they had no children, because Elizabeth was barren and both were getting on in years.
(The Gospel according to St. Luke Chapter 1 verses 5 to 7)
Oh God, my Father I place before Your mighty and merciful presence all those couples who for some reason cannot conceive or give birth to children. Even though Zechariah and Elizabeth were both good people, they still could not bear children, therefore oh parents do not blame yourselves or each other. God loves you as you are. I pray that you love each other and love yourselves as you are. I offer you situation to God who is able to remove all barriers leading to infertility. However, in the name of God, I would like You to start praising God with all your heart, with all your mind, with all your spirit. Relax in God, bring out your hurts, your feelings your anger before God and give them all to Him. Now close this prayer with a big thank You in faith that God will answer your prayers. Now switch off your computers and go and love each other while in a spirit of prayer and leave the rest to God my Father. Amen.
8. Once when he was serving as priest before God and his section was on duty, 9. he was chosen by lot, according to the custom of the priesthood, to enter the sanctuary of the Lord and offer incense. 10. Now at the time of the incense offering, the whole assembly of the people was praying outside.
(The Gospel according to St. Luke Chapter 1 verses 8 to 10)
Oh God, my Father how I wish that we offer our prayers for our priests and all consecrated people so that they will continue to be more holy and serve as sign - posts in our lives, so that we can continue to imitate You through their presence. While Zechariah was performing his duty in the sanctuary, the congregation was not passive but united in a spirit of prayer with him Amen. May we also all be united among ourselves in a spirit of prayer Amen.
11. Then there appeared to him an angel of the Lord, standing at the right side of the altar of incense. 12. When Zechariah saw him he was terrified; and fear overwhelmed him.
(The Gospel according to St. Luke Chapter 1 verses 11 to 12)
Oh God my Father Zechariah had long since been repeating the same ritual year after year, which may have become routine for him as much as going to mass on Sunday may have become for many Catholics, however there comes that peak, experience in our lives, when we make a concrete experience of You in our life and our faith is boosted again. Our spiritual lives start making more sense and all falls into place, because faith replaces all doubts Amen. This is also my experience of my spiritual life, one peak experience, changed my life forever.
13. But the angel said to him, "Do not be afraid, Zechariah, for your prayer has been heard, Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you will name him John. 14. You will have joy and gladness, and many will rejoice at his birth, 15. for he will be great in the sight of the Lord. He must never drink wine or strong drink; even before his birth he will be filled with the Holy Spirit.
(The Gospel according to St. Luke Chapter 1 verses 13 to 15)
Every time You speak to us oh God my Father You command us not to be afraid, for fear blocks the relationship, but love and faith make it grow stronger. I pray that I learn to love You more and more each day so that eventually fear in me of You will turn completely to love Amen.
16. He will turn many of the people of Israel to the Lord their God.
(The Gospel of St.Luke Chapter 1 verse 16)
Oh God my Father, how much I wish that I be an instrument used by You, in order to draw many people back to You. As You know my God and Father, I have never wished to be popular. I have nothing to be proud about and my family is a living confirmation of this for, they also have nothing to be proud about,, me. In -fact if they were to be questioned they would be placed in a difficult situation for they would be without an answer.
However, even though I am unpopular even among my own family, I know that You have a more positive perspective of me. I know that You love me, and that is what I am living for, to live with and for that love Amen. I pray that on leaving this world, I will not appear empty-handed apart from my sins Amen.
17. With the spirit and power of Elijah he will go before him, to turn the hearts of parents to their children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the righteous, to make ready a people prepared for the Lord."
(The Gospel of St.Luke Chapter 1 verse 17)
Oh God my Father John was to be driven and motivated by the power of the Holy Spirit. The same Spirit that spoke by means of the prophets and who is also speaking today by means of Pope Frances, the Holy Bible and even by many others who even though do not form part of the Roman Catholic Church are spreading and living the Word of God as found in the Bible by means of their ministry Amen.
18. Zechariah said to the angel, "How will I know that this is so? For I am an old man, and my wife is getting on in years."
(The Gospel of St.Luke Chapter 1 verse 18)
Proof and further proof cursed be that word oh God my Father. Had not Abraham been of an example to Zechariah who studied the Law and preached it to others? Have we not been grounded in the faith, however, we are still undecided and ask for proof. I pray that we totally place our trust in You my God and Father Amen without but's and if's Amen.
19. The angel replied, "I am Gabriel, I stand in the presence of God, and I have been sent to speak to you and to bring you this good news. 20. But now because you did not believe my words, which will be fulfilled in their time, you will become mute, unable to speak, until the day these things occur."
(The Gospel of St.Luke Chapter 1 verse 19 to 20)
Oh God my Father it seems that the Archangel Gabriel is Your right hand and Your primary source of delivering messages to us as he did to Zechariah and many others. During the course of time You delivered me many of such messengers by means of different people. I pray that I am always willing to receive such messages and not turn a deaf ear as a consequence of fear doubt or unbelief Amen.
21. Meanwhile the people were waiting for Zechariah, and wondered at his delay in the sanctuary. 22. When he did come out, he could not speak to them, and they realized that he had seen a vision in the sanctuary. He kept motioning to them and remained unable to speak. 23. When his time of service was ended, he went to his home.
(The Gospel of St.Luke Chapter 1 verse 21 to 23)
Oh God my Father when we experience You in our lives, we change in both lifestyle and personality. People will observe these changes and will behave according to their relationship with You my God and even with us. Those who do not believe in You may consider us as having become queer and mediocre because many times we end up speaking about God with them not as before. When we start trusting more in God than in people some might admire us but others might still consider us as being queer but its better to be unaccepted by humans and accepted by God Amen.
24. After those days his wife Elizabeth conceived, and for five months she remained in seclusion. She said, 25. "This is what the Lord has done for me when he looked favorably on me and took away the disgrace I have endured among my people."
(The Gospel of St.Luke Chapter 1 verse 24 to 25 )
Oh God my Father, when You call us and adopt us to be Your very own, You draw us from the crowd and from the previous lifestyle that we had been living. This is also a form of seclusion. In secret away from the confusion of society in a state of prayer and relationship with You, the seed of faith, vocation and commitment starts to germinate and shed its roots in You my, God and Father as in the case of the plant. In the darkness of seclusion, a new birth takes place, unlike that of the womb but from the Holy Spirit. Amen.
26. In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a town in Galilee called Nazareth, 27. to virgin engaged to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. The virgin's name was Mary
(The Gospel of St.Luke Chapter 1 verse 26 to 27 )
Oh God my Father, how different You are from the ways of the world. The World usually honours important people, by using them as status symbol to continue increasing their popularity. However, You send your important messengers to both the higher, the middle and even the lower classes, without making any form of discrimination as in the case of Mary and even myself. I thank You for that precious hour in the middle of the night when You even chose to visit me when I was asleep in order to give me the instruction to be freed from the past and to follow You Amen.
28. And he came to her and said, "Greetings, favored one! The Lord is with you." 29. But she was much perplexed by his words and pondered what sort of greeting this might be.
(The Gospel of St.Luke Chapter 1 verses 28 to 29)
While still in the natural Mary was confused about the message of the angel, and even more startled by the actual appearance of such a divine being. This was also my experience. To know about You my God is one thing, to make a first-hand experience of Your powerful and booming voice is another thing that is totally different. However when in such a situation, we are given two options either to stay on a rational level and doubt and keep on asking for more information and remain in a circle of sckepticism and unbelief or accept You at your word and place our trust in You. Amen.
30. The angel said to her, "Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. 31. And now, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you will name him Jesus.
(The Gospel of St.Luke Chapter 1 verses 30 to 31)
I thank You my God and Father, for giving me the reassurance that You are always with me and for giving me the necessary encouragement. I also pray that You are not only born in me and I in You but that Your loving and holy presence will remain with me for the rest of my life Amen.
32. He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Most High, and the Lord God will give to him the throne of his ancestor David
(The Gospel of St.Luke Chapter 1 verses 32)
Oh God my Father You are the kings of all kings. According to Your human descent You have the blood of kings in Your veins. As God You are the most supreme being ever, therefore this gives You supreme authority. Therefore as sons and daughters of the most high God, we also have noble blood in our systems. Therefore if you think, or somebody makes you think you are a nobody, think again. You are the son or daughter of the Kings of Kings which makes you noble. Amen
33. He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end."
(The Gospel of St.Luke Chapter 1 verse 33)
Oh God my Father, there is no time frame on Your kingdom, there are no general elections, that may bring an end to Your reign. Your kingdom is forever, and forever it shall be. Even though we may not be aware of Your interventions, however, You are always in control. You are my sovereign King and nobody can share in that reign, neither philosophy, psychology or even laws and jurisdictions or senates can influence Your reign Amen.
Let us click on the following link and be united with God the Father in praise Amen
You reign forever more (credit to New and living Way Church)
34. Mary said to the angel, "How can this be, since I am a virgin?"
(The Gospel of St.Luke Chapter 1 verse 34)
Oh God my Father many times we ask You such questions, how can this happen, and why did this happen and the other did not? How could he have died while he was still in his prime? Why do evil people spend long lives and others die of poverty? All the time we are ringing Your doorbell and insisting for a reply. From a natural order a virgin who has no contact cannot become a mother in the sense of bearing children, neither an elderly who is advanced in years as in the case of Sarah wife of Abraham, however, You my, God are God of the impossible who can go beyond the natural order and intervene on a supernatural order.
35. The Angel said to her, "The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be holy; he will be called Son of God.
(The Gospel of St.Luke Chapter 1 verse 35)
Oh God my Father You always wish to give us and not to take away from us. I wish to give you full control of my life. May You overshadow me like you did to Your mother Mary and be born in me by means of the power of Your Holy Spirit.
36. And now, your relative Elizabeth in her old age has also conceived a son; and this is the sixth month for her who was said to be barren. ³⁷ For nothing will be impossible with God."
(The Gospel of St.Luke Chapter 1 verse 36)
Oh God my Father for You nothing is difficult or impossible, however I am hesitating and in doubt. Oh God this is the moment of faith, where those who trust in You are never dismayed or disappointed. I pray to Your divine merciful heart to teach me to place my trust in You and move on Amen.
³⁷For nothing will be impossible with God." ³⁸ Then Mary said, "Here am I, the servant of the Lord; let it be with me according to your word." Then the angel departed from her.
(The Gospel of St.Luke Chapter 1 verses 37 to 38)
Oh God my beloved indeed for You nothing is impossible. All that which seems impossible on a natural level, You can make possible for our own good. I pray that we place our trust in You more than we do in the people and systems of the world Amen.
³⁹ In those days Mary set out and went with haste to a Judean town in the hill country, ⁴⁰ where she entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth.
(The Gospel of St.Luke Chapter 1 verse 39 to 40)
Oh God my Father, I pray that like Mary we venture that extra mile and go out of our way in order to help others, even though we may have our own pending issues as in the case of Mary who was also pregnant but out of wedlock, which in the eyes of her society was a dangerous issue. I pray that we all be that generous in considering other's needs before those of our own Amen.
⁴¹ When Elizabeth heard Mary's greeting, the child leaped in her womb. And Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit ⁴² and exclaimed with a loud cry, "Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb.
(The Gospel of St.Luke Chapter 1 verse 41 to 42)
Many times oh God my Father You speak to me by means of chosen people, who when I hear their voices, I can sense and feel that this is a person of God. whom You sent to talk to me in Your name Amen.
⁴³ And why has this happened to me, that the mother of my Lord comes to me?
(The Gospel of St.Luke Chapter 1 verse 43)
Oh God my beloved Father, Elizabeth asked the fatal question, the "Why me" question that many times I also address You with. Why did I have to be born and come to Malta? Why did You not permit me to become a brother in the order of St. Augustine, or St. Francis or with the brothers of Mother Theresa in Sicily, why did I end up being married to a woman who has even turned my daughter against me.
However it is useless asking such questions when all that has happened and is still happening is according to the plan that You have designed for me before I was even born. I humbly bow my head and accept this as being according to Your will and pray:
" Thank You oh Father and may Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven and may I not stop You in the unfolding of this plan that I do not always accept or understand Amen "
⁴⁴ For as soon as I heard the sound of your greeting, the child in my womb leaped for joy. ⁴⁵ And blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfillment of what was spoken to her by the Lord."
(The Gospel of St.Luke Chapter 1 verse 44 to 45)
Oh God my beloved Father, I experience the same feeling of joy when I hear Your Word proclaimed. Like a guard dog, my ears are pricked up so that I will not loose one word of what is being said. However at times oh God my Father not all who preach your Good News speak truly of You and this hurts me alot. I pray that you have mercy on such people my God and Father Amen.
⁴⁶ And Mary said, "My soul magnifies the Lord, ⁴⁷ and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, ⁴⁸ for he has looked with favor on the lowliness of his servant. Surely, from now on all generations will call me blessed;
(The Gospel of St. Luke Chapter 1 verses 46 to 47)
Oh God my beloved Father my spirit wishes to rejoice and magnify Your presence however it is heavily burdened and sad, by my situation, on the other hand I would like to thank You for the situation because it could be much worse. Oh Mother Mary, I am sorry that I do not communicate with You however I still love You. Amen.
⁴⁹ For the Mighty One has done great things for me, and holy is his name.
(The Gospel of St. Luke Chapter 1 verses 49)
Oh God my Father, even though as You know I am passing through a rough patch a crisis both at home and at work, I know that as always You will deliver me out of this situation and turn it in my favour for my own good. Amen. I trust in You that Your will be done. Amen.
⁵⁰ His mercy is for those who fear him from generation to generation.
(The Gospel of St. Luke Chapter 1 verse 50)
Oh God my beloved Father I thank You for Your love and mercy which You promised to me and even my generation and those to come. We cannot live without Your love and mercy, I pray that Your unchanging love and mercy will forever en-cloth the world like a garment that protects us from the taunts of the evil one Amen.
⁵¹ He has shown strength with his arm; he has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts.
(The Gospel of St. Luke Chapter 1 verse 51)
Oh God my beloved Father, may You always keep me in a state of humility so that I will never be proud in my attitude towards others and even towards You my God and Father Amen.
⁵² He has brought down the powerful from their thrones, and lifted up the lowly; ⁵³ he has filled the hungry with good things, and sent the rich away empty.
(The Gospel of St. Luke Chapter 1 verse 52 to 53)
Oh God, my blessed Father, it is true that You have the power and authority to reverse the order of power and replace people of power from their positions with others who are not as powerful. You raise the humble, and humble the powerful Amen. If in the future I am given a position of power my God and Father, I pray that I will always remain humble Amen.
⁵⁴ He has helped his servant Israel, in remembrance of his mercy, ⁵⁵ according to the promise he made to our ancestors, to Abraham and to his descendants forever."
(The Gospel of St. Luke Chapter 1 verse 54 to 55)
Oh God my Father, ever since the beginning of Your relationship with humanity, You have always kept Your promises, I pray that I always keep this remembrance in mind even during moments when I cannot experience the light of faith and reason Amen.
⁵⁶ And Mary remained with her about three months and then returned to her home.
(The Gospel of St. Luke Chapter 1 verse 56)
Oh God my Father, Mary did not stay with Elizabeth in order to make sure that what the angel had told her was true. She spent three months of service to her relative. Oh God I pray that our actions be the fruit of love generosity and service to others and not in order to gain merit in the eyes of others Amen.
⁵⁷ Now the time came for Elizabeth to give Birth, and she bore a son.
(The Gospel of St. Luke Chapter 1 verse 57)
Oh God when You considered the time to be appropriate, You intervened and made what was assumed to be impossible to made possible. Oh God my Father, Your timing is not like our timing, because our focus is not always a possibility thinking but the contrary. I pray that we become can do people who place their trust in You Amen.
⁵⁸ Her neighbors and relatives heard that the Lord had shown his great mercy to her, and they rejoiced with her.
(The Gospel of St. Luke Chapter 1 verse 58)
Oh how unpredictable humankind is my God. The same people who may have talked about her and considered her as being cursed because You had not given her children now rejoiced with her. I pray that You make me aware of such people and help me to keep my distance from them Amen.
⁵⁹ On the eighth day they came to circumcise the child, and they were going to name him Zechariah after his father. ⁶⁰ But his mother said, "No he is to be called John." ⁶¹ They said to her, "None of your relatives has this name." ⁶² Then they began motioning to his father to find out what name he wanted to give him. ⁶³ He asked for a writing tablet and wrote, "His name is John."
(The Gospel of St. Luke Chapter 1 verses 59 to 63)
Oh God my Father the name of John caused so much commotion, even the mother was not believed among her in-laws that he was to be given such a name. However there is no name such as Yours my God and Father Amen.
Therefore let us all join together and worship Your mighty name by clicking on the following link credited to us by Jad Harvey Quintos
No other name but the name of Jesus
⁶⁴ Immediately his mouth was opened and his tongue freed, and he began to speak praising God.
(The Gospel of St. Luke Chapter 1 verse 64)
Oh God my Father the power of Your Name how strong and powerful it is. You have the power to reverse and impairment, both physical, spiritual and even psychological. At the right moment You are able to use us in order to manifest Your glory and power Amen. I pray that You continue to use me my God and Father Amen.
⁶⁵ Fear came over all their neighbors; and all these things were talked about throughout the entire hill country of Judea.
(The Gospel of St. Luke Chapter 1 verse 65)
Oh God my Father, gossip spreads like wild fire and news spreads fast. I pray that the message of the Gospel also spreads fast Amen.
⁶⁶ All who heard them pondered them and said, "What then will this child become? For indeed, the hand of the Lord was with him.
(The Gospel of St. Luke Chapter 1 verse 66)
Oh God from the time of his birth You permitted John to experience such outstanding events and signs, because he had been specially chosen by You to carry out an important role. I pray for all those chosen ones even during our times 2018, that You may continue to use them to enlighten us with their exemplary life and maybe even their writings Amen.
As to this day the Roman Catholic Church is canonizing new modern saints whose lives reflected Your presence my God and Father as in the following video clip credited to Rome Reports in English.
Modern Saints
However one may pose the fatal question how does one become a Saint as we are called to be? In order to answer this question I strongly recommend that you click on the following link
How to become a Saint?
5. In the days of King Herod of Judea, there was a priest named Zechariah, who belonged to the priestly order of Abijah. His wife was a descendant of Aaron, and her name was Elizabeth. 6. Both of them were righteous before God, living blamelessly according to all the commandments and regulations of the Lord. 7. But they had no children, because Elizabeth was barren and both were getting on in years.
(The Gospel according to St. Luke Chapter 1 verses 5 to 7)
Oh God, my Father I place before Your mighty and merciful presence all those couples who for some reason cannot conceive or give birth to children. Even though Zechariah and Elizabeth were both good people, they still could not bear children, therefore oh parents do not blame yourselves or each other. God loves you as you are. I pray that you love each other and love yourselves as you are. I offer you situation to God who is able to remove all barriers leading to infertility. However, in the name of God, I would like You to start praising God with all your heart, with all your mind, with all your spirit. Relax in God, bring out your hurts, your feelings your anger before God and give them all to Him. Now close this prayer with a big thank You in faith that God will answer your prayers. Now switch off your computers and go and love each other while in a spirit of prayer and leave the rest to God my Father. Amen.
8. Once when he was serving as priest before God and his section was on duty, 9. he was chosen by lot, according to the custom of the priesthood, to enter the sanctuary of the Lord and offer incense. 10. Now at the time of the incense offering, the whole assembly of the people was praying outside.
(The Gospel according to St. Luke Chapter 1 verses 8 to 10)
Oh God, my Father how I wish that we offer our prayers for our priests and all consecrated people so that they will continue to be more holy and serve as sign - posts in our lives, so that we can continue to imitate You through their presence. While Zechariah was performing his duty in the sanctuary, the congregation was not passive but united in a spirit of prayer with him Amen. May we also all be united among ourselves in a spirit of prayer Amen.
11. Then there appeared to him an angel of the Lord, standing at the right side of the altar of incense. 12. When Zechariah saw him he was terrified; and fear overwhelmed him.
(The Gospel according to St. Luke Chapter 1 verses 11 to 12)
Oh God my Father Zechariah had long since been repeating the same ritual year after year, which may have become routine for him as much as going to mass on Sunday may have become for many Catholics, however there comes that peak, experience in our lives, when we make a concrete experience of You in our life and our faith is boosted again. Our spiritual lives start making more sense and all falls into place, because faith replaces all doubts Amen. This is also my experience of my spiritual life, one peak experience, changed my life forever.
13. But the angel said to him, "Do not be afraid, Zechariah, for your prayer has been heard, Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you will name him John. 14. You will have joy and gladness, and many will rejoice at his birth, 15. for he will be great in the sight of the Lord. He must never drink wine or strong drink; even before his birth he will be filled with the Holy Spirit.
(The Gospel according to St. Luke Chapter 1 verses 13 to 15)
Every time You speak to us oh God my Father You command us not to be afraid, for fear blocks the relationship, but love and faith make it grow stronger. I pray that I learn to love You more and more each day so that eventually fear in me of You will turn completely to love Amen.
16. He will turn many of the people of Israel to the Lord their God.
(The Gospel of St.Luke Chapter 1 verse 16)
Oh God my Father, how much I wish that I be an instrument used by You, in order to draw many people back to You. As You know my God and Father, I have never wished to be popular. I have nothing to be proud about and my family is a living confirmation of this for, they also have nothing to be proud about,, me. In -fact if they were to be questioned they would be placed in a difficult situation for they would be without an answer.
However, even though I am unpopular even among my own family, I know that You have a more positive perspective of me. I know that You love me, and that is what I am living for, to live with and for that love Amen. I pray that on leaving this world, I will not appear empty-handed apart from my sins Amen.
17. With the spirit and power of Elijah he will go before him, to turn the hearts of parents to their children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the righteous, to make ready a people prepared for the Lord."
(The Gospel of St.Luke Chapter 1 verse 17)
Oh God my Father John was to be driven and motivated by the power of the Holy Spirit. The same Spirit that spoke by means of the prophets and who is also speaking today by means of Pope Frances, the Holy Bible and even by many others who even though do not form part of the Roman Catholic Church are spreading and living the Word of God as found in the Bible by means of their ministry Amen.
18. Zechariah said to the angel, "How will I know that this is so? For I am an old man, and my wife is getting on in years."
(The Gospel of St.Luke Chapter 1 verse 18)
Proof and further proof cursed be that word oh God my Father. Had not Abraham been of an example to Zechariah who studied the Law and preached it to others? Have we not been grounded in the faith, however, we are still undecided and ask for proof. I pray that we totally place our trust in You my God and Father Amen without but's and if's Amen.
19. The angel replied, "I am Gabriel, I stand in the presence of God, and I have been sent to speak to you and to bring you this good news. 20. But now because you did not believe my words, which will be fulfilled in their time, you will become mute, unable to speak, until the day these things occur."
(The Gospel of St.Luke Chapter 1 verse 19 to 20)
Oh God my Father it seems that the Archangel Gabriel is Your right hand and Your primary source of delivering messages to us as he did to Zechariah and many others. During the course of time You delivered me many of such messengers by means of different people. I pray that I am always willing to receive such messages and not turn a deaf ear as a consequence of fear doubt or unbelief Amen.
21. Meanwhile the people were waiting for Zechariah, and wondered at his delay in the sanctuary. 22. When he did come out, he could not speak to them, and they realized that he had seen a vision in the sanctuary. He kept motioning to them and remained unable to speak. 23. When his time of service was ended, he went to his home.
(The Gospel of St.Luke Chapter 1 verse 21 to 23)
Oh God my Father when we experience You in our lives, we change in both lifestyle and personality. People will observe these changes and will behave according to their relationship with You my God and even with us. Those who do not believe in You may consider us as having become queer and mediocre because many times we end up speaking about God with them not as before. When we start trusting more in God than in people some might admire us but others might still consider us as being queer but its better to be unaccepted by humans and accepted by God Amen.
24. After those days his wife Elizabeth conceived, and for five months she remained in seclusion. She said, 25. "This is what the Lord has done for me when he looked favorably on me and took away the disgrace I have endured among my people."
(The Gospel of St.Luke Chapter 1 verse 24 to 25 )
Oh God my Father, when You call us and adopt us to be Your very own, You draw us from the crowd and from the previous lifestyle that we had been living. This is also a form of seclusion. In secret away from the confusion of society in a state of prayer and relationship with You, the seed of faith, vocation and commitment starts to germinate and shed its roots in You my, God and Father as in the case of the plant. In the darkness of seclusion, a new birth takes place, unlike that of the womb but from the Holy Spirit. Amen.
26. In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a town in Galilee called Nazareth, 27. to virgin engaged to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. The virgin's name was Mary
(The Gospel of St.Luke Chapter 1 verse 26 to 27 )
Oh God my Father, how different You are from the ways of the world. The World usually honours important people, by using them as status symbol to continue increasing their popularity. However, You send your important messengers to both the higher, the middle and even the lower classes, without making any form of discrimination as in the case of Mary and even myself. I thank You for that precious hour in the middle of the night when You even chose to visit me when I was asleep in order to give me the instruction to be freed from the past and to follow You Amen.
28. And he came to her and said, "Greetings, favored one! The Lord is with you." 29. But she was much perplexed by his words and pondered what sort of greeting this might be.
(The Gospel of St.Luke Chapter 1 verses 28 to 29)
While still in the natural Mary was confused about the message of the angel, and even more startled by the actual appearance of such a divine being. This was also my experience. To know about You my God is one thing, to make a first-hand experience of Your powerful and booming voice is another thing that is totally different. However when in such a situation, we are given two options either to stay on a rational level and doubt and keep on asking for more information and remain in a circle of sckepticism and unbelief or accept You at your word and place our trust in You. Amen.
30. The angel said to her, "Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. 31. And now, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you will name him Jesus.
(The Gospel of St.Luke Chapter 1 verses 30 to 31)
I thank You my God and Father, for giving me the reassurance that You are always with me and for giving me the necessary encouragement. I also pray that You are not only born in me and I in You but that Your loving and holy presence will remain with me for the rest of my life Amen.
32. He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Most High, and the Lord God will give to him the throne of his ancestor David
(The Gospel of St.Luke Chapter 1 verses 32)
Oh God my Father You are the kings of all kings. According to Your human descent You have the blood of kings in Your veins. As God You are the most supreme being ever, therefore this gives You supreme authority. Therefore as sons and daughters of the most high God, we also have noble blood in our systems. Therefore if you think, or somebody makes you think you are a nobody, think again. You are the son or daughter of the Kings of Kings which makes you noble. Amen
33. He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end."
(The Gospel of St.Luke Chapter 1 verse 33)
Oh God my Father, there is no time frame on Your kingdom, there are no general elections, that may bring an end to Your reign. Your kingdom is forever, and forever it shall be. Even though we may not be aware of Your interventions, however, You are always in control. You are my sovereign King and nobody can share in that reign, neither philosophy, psychology or even laws and jurisdictions or senates can influence Your reign Amen.
Let us click on the following link and be united with God the Father in praise Amen
You reign forever more (credit to New and living Way Church)
34. Mary said to the angel, "How can this be, since I am a virgin?"
(The Gospel of St.Luke Chapter 1 verse 34)
Oh God my Father many times we ask You such questions, how can this happen, and why did this happen and the other did not? How could he have died while he was still in his prime? Why do evil people spend long lives and others die of poverty? All the time we are ringing Your doorbell and insisting for a reply. From a natural order a virgin who has no contact cannot become a mother in the sense of bearing children, neither an elderly who is advanced in years as in the case of Sarah wife of Abraham, however, You my, God are God of the impossible who can go beyond the natural order and intervene on a supernatural order.
35. The Angel said to her, "The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be holy; he will be called Son of God.
(The Gospel of St.Luke Chapter 1 verse 35)
Oh God my Father You always wish to give us and not to take away from us. I wish to give you full control of my life. May You overshadow me like you did to Your mother Mary and be born in me by means of the power of Your Holy Spirit.
36. And now, your relative Elizabeth in her old age has also conceived a son; and this is the sixth month for her who was said to be barren. ³⁷ For nothing will be impossible with God."
(The Gospel of St.Luke Chapter 1 verse 36)
Oh God my Father for You nothing is difficult or impossible, however I am hesitating and in doubt. Oh God this is the moment of faith, where those who trust in You are never dismayed or disappointed. I pray to Your divine merciful heart to teach me to place my trust in You and move on Amen.
³⁷For nothing will be impossible with God." ³⁸ Then Mary said, "Here am I, the servant of the Lord; let it be with me according to your word." Then the angel departed from her.
(The Gospel of St.Luke Chapter 1 verses 37 to 38)
Oh God my beloved indeed for You nothing is impossible. All that which seems impossible on a natural level, You can make possible for our own good. I pray that we place our trust in You more than we do in the people and systems of the world Amen.
³⁹ In those days Mary set out and went with haste to a Judean town in the hill country, ⁴⁰ where she entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth.
(The Gospel of St.Luke Chapter 1 verse 39 to 40)
Oh God my Father, I pray that like Mary we venture that extra mile and go out of our way in order to help others, even though we may have our own pending issues as in the case of Mary who was also pregnant but out of wedlock, which in the eyes of her society was a dangerous issue. I pray that we all be that generous in considering other's needs before those of our own Amen.
⁴¹ When Elizabeth heard Mary's greeting, the child leaped in her womb. And Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit ⁴² and exclaimed with a loud cry, "Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb.
(The Gospel of St.Luke Chapter 1 verse 41 to 42)
Many times oh God my Father You speak to me by means of chosen people, who when I hear their voices, I can sense and feel that this is a person of God. whom You sent to talk to me in Your name Amen.
⁴³ And why has this happened to me, that the mother of my Lord comes to me?
(The Gospel of St.Luke Chapter 1 verse 43)
Oh God my beloved Father, Elizabeth asked the fatal question, the "Why me" question that many times I also address You with. Why did I have to be born and come to Malta? Why did You not permit me to become a brother in the order of St. Augustine, or St. Francis or with the brothers of Mother Theresa in Sicily, why did I end up being married to a woman who has even turned my daughter against me.
However it is useless asking such questions when all that has happened and is still happening is according to the plan that You have designed for me before I was even born. I humbly bow my head and accept this as being according to Your will and pray:
" Thank You oh Father and may Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven and may I not stop You in the unfolding of this plan that I do not always accept or understand Amen "
⁴⁴ For as soon as I heard the sound of your greeting, the child in my womb leaped for joy. ⁴⁵ And blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfillment of what was spoken to her by the Lord."
(The Gospel of St.Luke Chapter 1 verse 44 to 45)
Oh God my beloved Father, I experience the same feeling of joy when I hear Your Word proclaimed. Like a guard dog, my ears are pricked up so that I will not loose one word of what is being said. However at times oh God my Father not all who preach your Good News speak truly of You and this hurts me alot. I pray that you have mercy on such people my God and Father Amen.
⁴⁶ And Mary said, "My soul magnifies the Lord, ⁴⁷ and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, ⁴⁸ for he has looked with favor on the lowliness of his servant. Surely, from now on all generations will call me blessed;
(The Gospel of St. Luke Chapter 1 verses 46 to 47)
Oh God my beloved Father my spirit wishes to rejoice and magnify Your presence however it is heavily burdened and sad, by my situation, on the other hand I would like to thank You for the situation because it could be much worse. Oh Mother Mary, I am sorry that I do not communicate with You however I still love You. Amen.
⁴⁹ For the Mighty One has done great things for me, and holy is his name.
(The Gospel of St. Luke Chapter 1 verses 49)
Oh God my Father, even though as You know I am passing through a rough patch a crisis both at home and at work, I know that as always You will deliver me out of this situation and turn it in my favour for my own good. Amen. I trust in You that Your will be done. Amen.
⁵⁰ His mercy is for those who fear him from generation to generation.
(The Gospel of St. Luke Chapter 1 verse 50)
Oh God my beloved Father I thank You for Your love and mercy which You promised to me and even my generation and those to come. We cannot live without Your love and mercy, I pray that Your unchanging love and mercy will forever en-cloth the world like a garment that protects us from the taunts of the evil one Amen.
⁵¹ He has shown strength with his arm; he has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts.
(The Gospel of St. Luke Chapter 1 verse 51)
Oh God my beloved Father, may You always keep me in a state of humility so that I will never be proud in my attitude towards others and even towards You my God and Father Amen.
⁵² He has brought down the powerful from their thrones, and lifted up the lowly; ⁵³ he has filled the hungry with good things, and sent the rich away empty.
(The Gospel of St. Luke Chapter 1 verse 52 to 53)
Oh God, my blessed Father, it is true that You have the power and authority to reverse the order of power and replace people of power from their positions with others who are not as powerful. You raise the humble, and humble the powerful Amen. If in the future I am given a position of power my God and Father, I pray that I will always remain humble Amen.
⁵⁴ He has helped his servant Israel, in remembrance of his mercy, ⁵⁵ according to the promise he made to our ancestors, to Abraham and to his descendants forever."
(The Gospel of St. Luke Chapter 1 verse 54 to 55)
Oh God my Father, ever since the beginning of Your relationship with humanity, You have always kept Your promises, I pray that I always keep this remembrance in mind even during moments when I cannot experience the light of faith and reason Amen.
⁵⁶ And Mary remained with her about three months and then returned to her home.
(The Gospel of St. Luke Chapter 1 verse 56)
Oh God my Father, Mary did not stay with Elizabeth in order to make sure that what the angel had told her was true. She spent three months of service to her relative. Oh God I pray that our actions be the fruit of love generosity and service to others and not in order to gain merit in the eyes of others Amen.
⁵⁷ Now the time came for Elizabeth to give Birth, and she bore a son.
(The Gospel of St. Luke Chapter 1 verse 57)
Oh God when You considered the time to be appropriate, You intervened and made what was assumed to be impossible to made possible. Oh God my Father, Your timing is not like our timing, because our focus is not always a possibility thinking but the contrary. I pray that we become can do people who place their trust in You Amen.
⁵⁸ Her neighbors and relatives heard that the Lord had shown his great mercy to her, and they rejoiced with her.
(The Gospel of St. Luke Chapter 1 verse 58)
Oh how unpredictable humankind is my God. The same people who may have talked about her and considered her as being cursed because You had not given her children now rejoiced with her. I pray that You make me aware of such people and help me to keep my distance from them Amen.
⁵⁹ On the eighth day they came to circumcise the child, and they were going to name him Zechariah after his father. ⁶⁰ But his mother said, "No he is to be called John." ⁶¹ They said to her, "None of your relatives has this name." ⁶² Then they began motioning to his father to find out what name he wanted to give him. ⁶³ He asked for a writing tablet and wrote, "His name is John."
(The Gospel of St. Luke Chapter 1 verses 59 to 63)
Oh God my Father the name of John caused so much commotion, even the mother was not believed among her in-laws that he was to be given such a name. However there is no name such as Yours my God and Father Amen.
Therefore let us all join together and worship Your mighty name by clicking on the following link credited to us by Jad Harvey Quintos
No other name but the name of Jesus
⁶⁴ Immediately his mouth was opened and his tongue freed, and he began to speak praising God.
(The Gospel of St. Luke Chapter 1 verse 64)
Oh God my Father the power of Your Name how strong and powerful it is. You have the power to reverse and impairment, both physical, spiritual and even psychological. At the right moment You are able to use us in order to manifest Your glory and power Amen. I pray that You continue to use me my God and Father Amen.
⁶⁵ Fear came over all their neighbors; and all these things were talked about throughout the entire hill country of Judea.
(The Gospel of St. Luke Chapter 1 verse 65)
Oh God my Father, gossip spreads like wild fire and news spreads fast. I pray that the message of the Gospel also spreads fast Amen.
⁶⁶ All who heard them pondered them and said, "What then will this child become? For indeed, the hand of the Lord was with him.
(The Gospel of St. Luke Chapter 1 verse 66)
Oh God from the time of his birth You permitted John to experience such outstanding events and signs, because he had been specially chosen by You to carry out an important role. I pray for all those chosen ones even during our times 2018, that You may continue to use them to enlighten us with their exemplary life and maybe even their writings Amen.
As to this day the Roman Catholic Church is canonizing new modern saints whose lives reflected Your presence my God and Father as in the following video clip credited to Rome Reports in English.
Modern Saints
However one may pose the fatal question how does one become a Saint as we are called to be? In order to answer this question I strongly recommend that you click on the following link
How to become a Saint?
⁶⁷ Then his father Zechariah was filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke this prophecy: ⁶⁸ "Blessed be the Lord God of Israel, for he has looked favourably on his people and redeemed them.
(The Gospel of St. Luke Chapter 1 verses 67 to 68)
Oh, brothers and sisters never feel discouraged by your sins and by those of the world, for we are a redeemed people. God, You paid the price by offering Your Son as the offering of all offerings. No sin that You and I can ever commit is too bad or too much for God to redeem us from Amen. So when we fall we humbly confess our sins and seek absolution for God wants us to be holy and cleansed of sins. This is why God created soap, our priests are washing machines into which we load our dirty laundry. God gives the power to the machines and puts the soap of mercy, forgiveness and compassion into the machine, and even if our sins are as black as soot, they become as white as pure paper. They will be no more Amen. Thank You Jesus Amen.
⁶⁹ He has raised up a mighty savior for us in the house of his servant David, ⁷⁰ as he spoke through the mouth of his holy prophets from of old.⁷¹ that we would be saved from our enemies and from the hand of all who hate us.
(The Gospel of St. Luke Chapter 1 verses 69 to 71)
Oh God my Father You are my mighty warrior, king of kings, champion of champions and Your reign is forever more. Amen. Blessed be Your name. I thank You for fighting my battles and for overcoming my enemies, of which the most potent is myself, which the evil one is using against me Amen. I pray that as always You remain with me during this time of tribulation that I am experiencing Amen.
⁷² Thus he has shown the mercy promised to our ancestors, and has remembered his holy covenant, the oath that he swore to our ancestor Abraham, to grant us ⁷⁴ that we being rescued from the hands of our enemies might serve him without fear, ⁷⁵ in holiness and righteousness before him all our days.
(The Gospel of St. Luke Chapter 1 verse 72 to 75)
Oh, brothers and sisters, it is the wish of God our Father that as people, whom He has saved by means of His precious blood we give testimony of all that You have done in our lives, a living testimony, a living bible. Help us oh God to be the disciples of today and tomorrow Amen.
⁷⁶ And you, child, will be called the prophet of the Most High; for you will go before the Lord to prepare his ways,
(The Gospel of St. Luke Chapter 1 verse 76)
Oh God my beloved Father I pray that you make a positive prophet out of me and not a prophet of doom who is focused on negative outcomes. I am the son of the most high God, therefore I am to share the positive traits of God my Father Amen.
⁷⁷ to give knowledge of salvation to his people by the forgiveness of their sins.
(The Gospel of St. Luke Chapter 1 verse 77)
Oh God my Father I ask of You today to bless me with words of knowledge. May You make me a light to others. May Your Word be so alive in me that when in a delicate situation it prompts me to say the correct message in that situation in order to be of love, care and support to others Amen.
⁷⁸ By the tender mercy of our God, the dawn from on high will break upon us, ⁷⁹ to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace."
(The Gospel of St. Luke Chapter 1 verses 78 to 79)
Oh God my Father every day is a new beginning an opportunity to help and love You in the person of others. This is the aim of my life regardless if it is in my area of work or in my daily life. I pray to be an instrument in Your hands Amen.
⁸⁰ The child grew and became strong in spirit, and he was in the wilderness until the day he appeared publicly in Israel.
(The Gospel of St. Luke Chapter 1 verse 80)
Oh God my beloved Father every day of my life is an opportunity of growth in spirit, sometimes I take the opportunity but sadly at other times I decide to behave according to the flesh. I pray for Your support in this area my God and Father for in this area I am still very weak as in the example of the child. Amen
Oh God my beloved Father, I would like to end this meditation on the first chapter of the Gospel according to St. Luke with the following prayer.
Merciful God and Father I pray that we become positive prophets as in the case of St. John. I pray to be prompted by Your Holy Spirit in order to defend and proclaim Your message as found in the Gospel. I pray that I be a light to others and speak only when prompted by You Amen.
⁶⁹ He has raised up a mighty savior for us in the house of his servant David, ⁷⁰ as he spoke through the mouth of his holy prophets from of old.⁷¹ that we would be saved from our enemies and from the hand of all who hate us.
(The Gospel of St. Luke Chapter 1 verses 69 to 71)
Oh God my Father You are my mighty warrior, king of kings, champion of champions and Your reign is forever more. Amen. Blessed be Your name. I thank You for fighting my battles and for overcoming my enemies, of which the most potent is myself, which the evil one is using against me Amen. I pray that as always You remain with me during this time of tribulation that I am experiencing Amen.
⁷² Thus he has shown the mercy promised to our ancestors, and has remembered his holy covenant, the oath that he swore to our ancestor Abraham, to grant us ⁷⁴ that we being rescued from the hands of our enemies might serve him without fear, ⁷⁵ in holiness and righteousness before him all our days.
(The Gospel of St. Luke Chapter 1 verse 72 to 75)
Oh, brothers and sisters, it is the wish of God our Father that as people, whom He has saved by means of His precious blood we give testimony of all that You have done in our lives, a living testimony, a living bible. Help us oh God to be the disciples of today and tomorrow Amen.
⁷⁶ And you, child, will be called the prophet of the Most High; for you will go before the Lord to prepare his ways,
(The Gospel of St. Luke Chapter 1 verse 76)
Oh God my beloved Father I pray that you make a positive prophet out of me and not a prophet of doom who is focused on negative outcomes. I am the son of the most high God, therefore I am to share the positive traits of God my Father Amen.
⁷⁷ to give knowledge of salvation to his people by the forgiveness of their sins.
(The Gospel of St. Luke Chapter 1 verse 77)
Oh God my Father I ask of You today to bless me with words of knowledge. May You make me a light to others. May Your Word be so alive in me that when in a delicate situation it prompts me to say the correct message in that situation in order to be of love, care and support to others Amen.
⁷⁸ By the tender mercy of our God, the dawn from on high will break upon us, ⁷⁹ to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace."
(The Gospel of St. Luke Chapter 1 verses 78 to 79)
Oh God my Father every day is a new beginning an opportunity to help and love You in the person of others. This is the aim of my life regardless if it is in my area of work or in my daily life. I pray to be an instrument in Your hands Amen.
⁸⁰ The child grew and became strong in spirit, and he was in the wilderness until the day he appeared publicly in Israel.
(The Gospel of St. Luke Chapter 1 verse 80)
Oh God my beloved Father every day of my life is an opportunity of growth in spirit, sometimes I take the opportunity but sadly at other times I decide to behave according to the flesh. I pray for Your support in this area my God and Father for in this area I am still very weak as in the example of the child. Amen
Merciful God and Father I pray that we become positive prophets as in the case of St. John. I pray to be prompted by Your Holy Spirit in order to defend and proclaim Your message as found in the Gospel. I pray that I be a light to others and speak only when prompted by You Amen.
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