“He will be called John.”
Lk. 1:60
I love today’s Gospel reading
about the naming of John the Baptist! The customs of the time included the
expectation that newborn sons should be named after their fathers or
grandfathers. However, in Luke 1:13 (prior to today’s reading), the angel tells
Zechariah that his new baby should be named John. At the time of the
baby’s birth, Zechariah was unable to speak for himself. I greatly admire
how Elizabeth stood up to her neighbors and relatives and insisted that the
child be named John. She rejected the crowd who was pressuring her to
adhere to traditional customs. Elizabeth followed God’s will and named
her child John. She was obedient to what God had asked of her.
In the Scriptures, when God is
involved in naming a child, that child is significant to His plans. God
asked that Elizabeth and Zechariah’s son be named John. John the Baptist
prepared the way for Jesus to reach into the lives and hearts of each of us.
God’s plan for John was fulfilled!
Through our baptisms, God calls
each of us by name. Like John, we are each significant to God’s
plan. Like Elizabeth, sometimes we are going to have to stand up to what
we know is right, even if we receive pressure from outside sources. Like
Zechariah, we might have to rely on others to help us follow God. God has called each of us by name! He
has a plan for each and every one of His children!
In these
last, often hectic, days before Christmas, can you find some time to spend
alone with God?
No matter
how many times you have heard the Christmas readings, listen anew this
year! What might God be trying to tell you?
Sr. Jennifer Marie Zimmerman, SND
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