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:
“God has been merciful.”
Following on from yesterday’s reflection on names, today we hear Elizabeth and Zechariah declare that their son will be called not by a name typical of their family, but by a different name. He is to be called John, meaning “God is gracious” or “God has been merciful.” God has been merciful in giving a son to these elderly parents. However, the mercy extends beyond Elizabeth and Zechariah. The angel says that “God has heard your prayer (Lk 1:13).” But this not just the prayer of the couple, but of all who suffer and are burdened with sorrow or sin. And so, their son will usher in the time of the One who will console his people. Thus, God has heard, and because God is merciful, God is coming to save. By his name and Zechariah’s miraculous restoration of speech, the people
understand that John is someone special in God’s sight. He will, in the words of Malachi, be God’s messenger, “the envoy of the Covenant”, and the one who will purify the people through repentance. John’s name reveals why God wants to save his people and to bring them back to him: it’s love, pure and simple.
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