The Nativity of St. John the Baptist (Luke 1:5-17) “You Are Kidding!”
The Nativity of St. John the Baptist (Luke 1:5-17) “You Are Kidding!”
We seldom read this section of Luke’s Gospel during the liturgical cycle. The story follows a familiar pattern of miraculous births in the Bible. The pattern is usually similar. A couple that is barren prays for a child for years and it seems like their prayer will not be answered. But then in their old age a pregnancy occurs. Usually this happens by the direct intervention of God.
The child that is born does not live an ordinary life, but the child becomes and important leader and an important player in the unfolding of salvation history. We can point to any number of examples of miraculous births.
The first instance of this, of course, occurs with Abraham and Sarah in the Book of Genesis. Abraham is told that he will be the father of a great nation. He is told that a son will be born to his wife Sarah. Both Abraham and Sarah are elderly, so a birth seems unlikely. They disbelieve God and even laugh at God, but the birth finally happens, and they have their son Isaac.
John’s parents, Zechariah and Elizabeth are elderly as well. The couple was very pious. They prayed fervently. But it seems like they had adjusted to their childless existence. Perhaps they were the favorite aunt and uncle of their nieces and nephews.
Zechariah seems to be taken aback by the news. If any of us were told we were going to be parents in our 50’s or 60’s, would we say to the Lord, “God this is not the time?” Maybe Zechariah was thinking. “I don’t have the energy to raise a child at this point in my life.
Zechariah is struck dumb for the nine months of the pregnancy. Is this to give him time to listen and to think? Perhaps? In the end, he looks at his son as a great blessing from God. We are reminded that unexpected news often leads to the greatest blessings of our lives.
Reflection Questions:
- Have I ever been surprised by bad news? What was it and how was my life changed?
- Did the news end up as a blessing in disguise? What did I learn from the situation?
Dear Parishioners,
We are now having some of the longest days of the year. Summer is upon us. How are we spending our summer? Do we while away the hours on a hammock with a lemonade in our hand. When I was a child summer was a laid-back time. The days were long, and it seemed like things were relaxed. Nights were spent sitting in the yard sharing stories with family and neighbors trying to keep cool. No air conditioning back then.
Now it seems like summers are full of activity as I try to catch up on all the things I have put off throughout the year. I am busier in the summer than at other times. Time passes quickly as I do the things I need to catch up on.
All this reminds me how precious time is and how much of it I waste. Perhaps we all need to find a hammock today and have a cold lemonade.
May Our Lady of Peace pray for our violent world today.
Fr. Mark