Monday,
December 23, 2019
4th Week of Advent 1st Reading: Mal 3:1-4, 23-24
Gospel: Luke 1:5 7-66
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.
A holy fear came on all in the neighborhood, and throughout the Hills 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.
D@iGITAL-EXPERIENCE
(Daily Gospel in the Assimilated Life Experience)
In the time of Jesus barrenness was frowned upon as disapproval from on high. For this reason Elizabeth’s barrenness was considered a curse. Then God intervened and gave them a baby boy. Elizabeth’s cousin Mary was also given the extraordinary honor of being mother of the Messiah. Grace came to overflowing to lift the curse from Elizabeth’s life.
By tradition Zechariah was supposed to give the child his own name. He named him John, instead, a name which in Hebrew means “God shows favor”. It turned out to be the most appropriate name. God indeed showed the couple so much favor. They were supposed to be barren all their lives, a condition seen as a curse from God. The birth of John the Baptist lifted the curse.
The story of Zechariah and Elizabeth elevated procreation from an instrument of self-perpetuation to a means of furthering God’s mission. They were given this favor not for any merit of their own but for the unfolding of God’s plan of salvation. The story of Zechariah and Elizabeth has a lot to teach us about the population problem. When we set aside the missionary dimension of procreation we easily succumb to the quick fix solution of contraception. It is only when we seriously consider its missionary dimension that in faith we give God enough space to do his part in regard to the population control issue.
Give this missionary dimension a serious thought. You’ll never know your child could be a John the Baptist reborn not just to perpetuate your name but to prepare for God’s second coming. – (Atty.) Rev. Fr. Dan Domingo P. delos Angeles, Jr., J.D., D.M.
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