Nativity of St. John the Baptist – XII “B” – June 24, 2012

The birth of a child is an occasion for rejoicing, not only for siblings but also for parents, aunts and uncles, and even for friends and neighbors. But it also seems to invite questions. Not only the commonplace ones, like: “Is it a boy or a girl?” or “What does she weigh?” or “Who’s he like?” But also the more thoughtful ones, like: “What kind of future awaits him” or “What will he make of life when he grows up?”

If joy and questioning are the order of the day when a baby arrives, it’s no surprise to hear of joy and questioning in abundance when Elizabeth and Zechariah have their son. When the time comes for him to be circumcised, everyone presumes he’ll be called after his father, or his grandfather. But his mother says firmly: “No, he’s to be called John” – and that’s fascinating name, for it means “God’s gracious gift”. When relations and neighbors remind her that this is breaking with tradition, that no one in the family has that name, his father Zechariah intervenes. Taking up a writing tablet – he’s been unable to speak ever since he doubted the angel’s message that Elizabeth would conceive – he carefully traces out the words: “His name is John.” As he does so, his power of speech returns. He will turn out to be one of God’s greatest servants, the herald who prepares the way for Jesus’ coming. It’s glorious task, but John always remains humble self-effacing; as he puts it: “I’m not fit to undo His sandals”; “He (Jesus) must increase but I must decrease”.

“What will this child turn out to be?” they asked when Jesus was born. A similar question might have been asked about us, for marvels have marked our lives, too. Like John, we were known by God before we were born; known and loved in our mother’s womb. Shortly after our birth, another marvel awaited most of us: through the Sacrament of Baptism, we began to share in God’s own life, became God’s sons and daughters with a destiny of eternal life and happiness. And now, like John, we are called to decrease so that Christ may increase in us, and to bear witness to Him in the way we live our lives. Like John, we may have moments when we wonder if it’s all worth it, if perhaps we’re toiling in vain. Our celebration of John’s birthday can help us to draw strength from his heroic courage and faithfulness unto death. It is an opportunity to be inspired to continue his work, enabling the bright light of Christ to shine out more brilliantly in our world.