The birth of John the Baptist is surrounded by miraculous signs and wonders.

His father Zechariahis from the Levite tribe. So John comes from the priestly class.

For a name carries with it the destiny of the bearer. The baby could not be named frivolously.

And so, after much debate, they named him John. It means that God is gracious.

His birth signifies that the fulfillment of God’s promise is near at hand.

 

St. John of Kanty, priest

＊＊＊ 1st Reading ＊＊＊

Malachi 3:1-4, 23-24

Now I am sending

My messenger ahead of me, to clear the way; then, suddenly, the Lord, for whom you long, will enter the Sanctuary. The envoy of the Covenant which you so greatly desire, already comes, says Yahweh of hosts. Who can bear the day of his coming and remain standing when he appears? For he will be like fire in the foundry and like the lye used for bleaching.

 

He will be as a refiner or a fuller. He will purify the sons of Levi and refine them, like gold and silver. So Yahweh will have priests who will present the offering as it should be. Then Yahweh will accept with pleasure the offering of Judah and Jerusalem, as in former days. I am going to send you the prophet Elijah before the day of Yahweh comes, for it will be a great and terrible day. He will reconcile parents with their children, and the children with their parents, so that I may not have to curse this land when I come."

 

Ps 25:4-5ab, 8-9, 10 & 14 Lift up your heads and see: your redemption is near at hand.

 

Gospel: Luke 1:57-66 

When the time came for Elizabeth, she gave birth to a son. Her neighbors and relatives heard that the merciful Lord had done a wonderful thing for her, and they rejoiced with her. 

 

When, on the eighth day, they came to attend the circumcision of the child, they wanted to name him Zechariah after his father. But his mother said, "Not so; he shall be called John." They said to her, "But no one in your family has that name!" and they made signs to his father for the name he wanted to give him. Zechariah asked for a writing tablet, and wrote on it, "His name is John;" and they were very surprised. Immediately, Zechariah could speak again, and his first words were in praise of God.

 

A holy fear came on all in the neighborhood, and throughout the hill country of Judea the people talked about these events. All who heard of it, pondered in their minds, and wondered, "What will this child be?" For they understood that the hand of the Lord was with him.

 

Reflection:

"Elizabeth found her courage." 

It's easy to overlook the courage of Elizabeth and Zechariah. Their courage begins long before their appearance in the Gospel. Luke tells us that they were faithful Jews, obedient to the Lord's commandments all their lives. That fidelity was a sign of their courage since their childlessness would have been seen by their community as a sign of God's disfavor. Despite this perception, Elizabeth and Zechariah continue to obey the Lord. They needed even more courage after the angel's announcement. Elizabeth's pregnancy at such an advanced age must have caused a lot of gossip. It's no wonder she stayed home for the first five months! 

 

But Elizabeth found her courage to greet Mary and affirm their miraculous pregnancies. When she gave birth to her son, Elizabeth courageously speaks up to her neighbors, giving her son his name against their objections, a decision confirmed by Zechariah who regains his voice to sing God's praise. No matter our age, we can draw strength from the example of these holy people. May we witness to our faith with the same courage.