The Naming of John the Baptist
Saturday, December 23, 2017 3rd Week of Advent 1st Reading: Mal 3:1-4, 23-24 Gospel: Lk 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, “No one in your family has that name”; and they asked the father by means of signs for the name he wanted to give. 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.
D@iGITAL-EXPERIENCE
(Daily Gospel in the
Assimilated Life Experience)
Mr. Wong is surprised about the physical appearance of his newborn baby. He is Chinese but the baby is black with kinky hair and bulging eyes. Doctor asks what name he wants for the child. “Sam Tim Wong”, Mr. Wong replies. Doctor hears him saying “Something Wrong”. “You have doubts about the paternity of the baby?” Doctor inquires. Mr. Wong replies, “At least I am giving him my family name!”
Naming a child is prerogative of parents. Elizabeth and Zechariah exercised this prerogative when they insisted naming the child John despite the objections of their relatives. This prerogative comes with responsibility. Take the case of our first parent Adam. He was given the prerogative of naming all plants and animals in the Garden of Eden. With that prerogative came the responsibility of being a good steward to them. Parents too must realize that in exercising the same prerogative over their newborn, they proclaim their commitment to take responsibility over its upbringing.
Today’s Gospel message invites parents to monitor themselves in the area of responsibility. To relegate the formation of children completely to school authorities is sheer irresponsibility. School education is most effective only to children who have healthy family upbringing. Parents who are remiss in their responsibility over their children have no right to demand dedication from teachers.
Your children are your passports to heaven. You cannot be in paradise while your children languish in hell because you will always be part of the reason for their damnation. Remember what Eric Erikson said about parents? We were all born princes and princesses until our parents kissed us into frogs. The degree of your commitment to the responsibility inherent in your prerogative to name your children will either make or break them. —(Atty.) Rev. Fr. Dan Domingo P. delos Angeles, Jr., D.M.
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