Nativity of John the Baptist, Wednesday – 24th June 2021 — Gospel: Lk 1,57-66,80
Faithful Response’s
The Gospel today relates the birth and naming of John the Baptist. It was truly a joyous time as God’s blessing rested abundantly on Zachariah and Elizabeth. In their old age, God sent them a baby boy, as He promised. On the eighth day, at the naming of the infant, the relatives thought that the boy would be named Zechariah, after his father or someone else in the family. The relatives and neighbours were shocked when Elizabeth insisted on the name “John.” To get the final decision, they made signs to muted Zechariah. He wrote “His name is John” on a tablet. The people all marveled. But it was even more of a surprise when they noticed that the power of speech had returned to Zechariah as soon as he wrote “John”. Biblical naming signified special calling. The name “John” means “the graciousness of God,” because he would announce God’s graciousness in the coming of the Messiah – Jesus. Despite the controversy, we see the unwavering faith, determination, and obedience of Zechariah and Elizabeth in fulfilling the will of the Lord by naming their boy “John.” Obedience is the response of a faithful person. St.Thomas Aquinas has said, “Obedience unites us so closely to God that, in a way, transforms us into him, so that we have no other will but His.”
