By Lisa Greey–
Today is John the Baptist’s birthday. John had a very interesting life – even from when he was in his mother’s womb. If you recall, Mary visits Elizabeth while they are both pregnant. John recognizes Jesus as the Savior and jumps in Elizabeth’s womb when Mary (and Jesus) come into their presence. I’ve always thought this to be a really neat scene to imagine: two children in the womb recognizing each other. Think about what a sonogram at that moment might look like. I imagine John kneeling down in Jesus’ presence, and Jesus blessing him. Who knows what really happened, but we do know that John recognized who Jesus was from within his mother’s womb. Great timing on God’s part as John would grow up and spend his adulthood proclaiming the coming of Christ!
The Gospel reading presents an interesting point of reflection. Elizabeth gives birth to her child, and Zechariah is asked to name his son. He writes down “John” on a tablet. Everyone is wondering why he chooses this name. Back then, as in some families now, the name of a child was often linked with another family name: “There is no one among your relatives who has this name.” (Luke 1:61). So where did this name come from? Why was Zachariah breaking tradition? We have to backtrack a moment to when the angel appears to Zachariah and tells him he will have a son, and tells him the son shall be named John. Why is it that 9 months later, clearly Zachariah has not told this story since everyone is questioning why he would name his newborn boy John? Well because Zachariah asked the wrong kind of questions: “Then Zechariah said to the angel, “How shall I know this? For I am an old man, and my wife is advanced in years” (Luke 1:18). He doubts God’s power. Because of this, God strikes Zechariah mute … until this moment in today’s Gospel. Following the angel’s command, and naming his son John despite the protest of others, uplifts Zachariah’s punishment from God. In being faithful and persistent in God’s will, Zechariah is freed from being mute.
What can we take away from this story? 1) When God asks something of us, we need to respond like Mary with a “yes.” Mary’s yes relies totally and completely on who God is – all powerful and mighty. Zachariah, however, looked at himself and the impossibility of the situation. 2) Even when we mess up, doubt God and fall into sin, God will always forgive us. We all suffer consequences of our sin. Zachariah had a rough consequence – being unable to speak for months! However, God cannot be outdone in generosity. He forgave Zachariah, and lifted his punishment. He will do the same for us if we repent and follow his will!
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