GOSPEL POWER - DECEMBER 23, 2020

Gospel: Lk 1:57-66 

The time came for Elizabeth to give birth, and she bore a son. Her neighbors and relatives heard that the Lord had shown his great mercy to her, and they rejoiced with her. On the eighth day they came to circumcise the child, and they were going to name him Zechariah after his father. But his mother said, “No; he is to be called John.” They said to her, “None of your relatives has this name.” Then they began motioning to his father to find out what name he wanted to give him. He asked for a writing tablet and wrote, “His name is John.” And all of them were amazed. Immediately his mouth was opened and his tongue freed, and he began to speak, praising God. Fear came over all their neighbors, and all these things were talked about throughout the entire hill country of Judea. All who heard them pondered them and said, “What then will this child become?” For, indeed, the hand of the Lord was with him.

REFLECTION

T he drama that unfolds in the naming of John tells us of this child’s unique and divinely determined character and destiny. John is a child of a fulfilled promise, and his name reveals it—“Yahweh is gracious” (Yochanan)— a keeper of His word. Aside from the fact that John’s name was revealed by the angel, his parents’ refusal to name him Zechariah shows their understanding that this child will not be defined by either their culture or their clan. He belongs totally to God from the moment of his conception. His whole existence has a singular purpose—to prepare for the coming of the Lord, in fulfillment of Malachi’s prophecy in the first reading. Such commitment will make him a counter-cultural figure who stands out from society in order to stand up single-heartedly for the Lord. Indeed, as Luke observes, the hand of the Lord was with him.

PRAYER

Lord Jesus, help us to enter into a space of silence so that we too may assimilate God’s gracious hand guiding our lives. Amen.