A reflection on Luke 1:63, 80; Matthew 3:3; Mark 1:3; Luke 3:4; John 1:23
©️2021 Gloria M. Chang
When the time arrived for Elizabeth to have her child she gave birth to a son. Her neighbors and relatives heard that the Lord had shown his great mercy toward her, and they rejoiced with her. When they came on the eighth day to circumcise the child, they were going to call him Zechariah after his father, but his mother said in reply, “No. He will be called John.” But they answered her, “There is no one among your relatives who has this name.” So they made signs, asking his father what he wished him to be called. He asked for a tablet and wrote, “John is his name,” and all were amazed. Immediately his mouth was opened, his tongue freed, and he spoke blessing God. Then fear came upon all their neighbors, and all these matters were discussed throughout the hill country of Judea. All who heard these things took them to heart, saying, “What, then, will this child be?” For surely the hand of the Lord was with him.
The child grew and became strong in spirit, and he was in the desert until the day of his manifestation to Israel.
Luke 1:57-66, 80
In those days John the Baptist appeared, preaching in the desert of Judea and saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand!” It was of him that the prophet Isaiah had spoken when he said:
“A voice of one crying out in the desert,
Matthew 3:1-3 (cf. Mark 1:3; Luke 3:4; John 1:23)
‘Prepare the way of the Lord,
make straight his paths.’”
Voiceless Zechariah wrote, “John is his name”—
A voice in the desert, a prophet aflame.
Traditional Chinese Translation
《施洗聖約翰的誕生》
失聲的撒迦利亞寫道
“約翰是他的名字”。
沙漠中一個聲音，
火熱的一個先知。
Dear GMC, your beautiful reflection reminds me how when I was younger I wished my birthday fell on June 24th, not June 23rd, so I could have st. John the Baptist as my birthday saint. Because of that missed birthday I have made st. John the Baptist the saint I pray to, to teach me humility and goodness and to get me closer to our Lord. Thank you for the call back to innocence your reflection gave me.
Happy Birthday, fdan! May St. John the Baptist always be your guide and inspiration!
John the Baptist recalls how humility is characteristic of one who loves God. He pointed out Christ as the One. He led others to be followers of Christ.
There were classroom tools for teaching when I was a teacher. One was a long wooden stick with a rubber tip. When I wanted to teach lessons using a blackboard, the pointer was useful. When using maps, the pointer was helpful. When working out math problems, the pointer came in handy. Often, I’d invite a student to come and use the pointer to solve the problem.
John the Baptist was a human pointer! I do the same by being a living witness to Christ. May each person point to the love and mercy of God.
Thank you for your reflection, Ellen!
As child, I was told that pointing is impolite. Making someone the object of our trigger finger meant nothing good. Like one who points out the criminal in a lineup or in a court of law. John’s life was pointing out Jesus. One life signaling the ONE life. John’s witness was misunderstood.
How often I try to be a pointer for Christ but I’m either ignored or criticized? How frequently do I beg for Holy Spirit strength to lead me from desert to river? John was sustained by God’s help to complete the mission of forerunner. That same sustainability is offered to me.
May St. John the Baptist pray for us!
I relate to Elizabeth (my middle name) who in her old age brought forth life: John. How was she prepared to raise her son who would have such a serious mission? Did she shed multitude of tears when he left home to live as desert nomad? Did she try to convince him to stay or encourage him to wander? Perhaps she wasn’t alive when John began his ministry. Perhaps Zachariah was also deceased. I believe Elizabeth enjoyed the years she had with John. She had faith in God’s promises. She knew that God’s plan offered the best outcome. She had her son for as long as God saw fit.
How many mothers will weep copious tears when their children “leave the nest”?
I pray for all the young graduates who are leaving home to begin careers in locations far from home. Lord, watch over these young ones. Help them to remain faithful. Sustain their mothers with faith in your holy will.
The ways of God are mysterious! Thank you for sharing your reflection and prayer for mothers and their children.