The Nativity of John the Baptist - Luke 1:57-66, 80

Reflections of the Sunday Gospel - June 24, 2007

Mining the gospel gold:

The Office of Liturgy, in collaboration with the Office of Communications, offers a reflection each week for the Sunday gospel reading at Mass. It is hoped that this reflection is helpful to preachers and laity alike.

Reflection:

We celebrate the birth of John the Baptist solemnly today because he is the last and greatest of the prophets who prepared the way for the ministry of the Messiah. John is a bridge between the old and new covenants. Jesus once said, "I tell you, among those born of women none is greater than John; yet the one who is least in the Kingdom of God is greater than he." (Lk. 7:28). John then belonged to the old order; he never became a disciple of Jesus. That may seem strange to us because the Kingdom of God is for us being a disciple. Jesus can speak of the least in the kingdom being greater than John in the sense of Jesus' ministry and call to discipleship is the fulfillment of all the law and prophets proclaimed.

With the birth of John, God's new activity among mankind happens in accordance with the words of the prophets, the promises made to the patriarchs Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, and the covenant made with Israel at Sinai. The divine plan reaches its climax in the arrival of the Messiah's messenger. God has been and is everlastingly faithful in spite of the faithlessness of his people. Israel's history moves forward to its goal of being bearer of salvation to all the nations of the earth.

Elizabeth has conceived this child in her old age. Old age means a time beyond normal child-bearing and given the life span of these people we can guess that Elizabeth was perhaps 35 or 40 years old at most.

The name, in Jewish tradition, was given by the father and it revealed the character and nature of the bearer. The mother Elizabeth surprises those present by giving a name that is new to the family. (Remember the father Zechariah could not give the name because he was struck dumb at his seeming disbelief at the revelation he received in the temple.) John is our English form of Jehohanan which means GRACIOUS GIFT OF GOD. The choice of name is seen as a grateful act to the unexpected goodness of God to these parents in their old age.

Because of Elizabeth's insistent departure from family tradition in giving the name and Zechariah's sudden dramatic recovery from his loss of speech, the divine guidance is perceived by those present. When God gives a name He determines the destiny of that man and John is certainly set apart for a unique mission. Luke then speaks of "fear coming on all the neighbors." This fear is not fright in the presence of danger but the awe at the marvelous works of God.

The gospel concludes by speaking of John's growth in the spirit in the WILDERNESS; the wilderness is the home of prophetic inspiration and activity. Here John will proclaim the new Exodus event in the person of Him "whose sandal strap I am not worthy to loose."

John was a gracious gift of God -- let us follow the courageous and self-denial life style of John in proclaiming Jesus to be a model for ourselves.

-Archdiocese of Denver Liturgical Office