Twelfth Sunday in Ordinary Time (B) The Nativity of St. John the Baptist

Twelfth Sunday in Ordinary Time (B)

The Nativity of St. John the Baptist

June 24, 2018 

Readings:

First Reading: Isaiah 49: 1-6

Psalm: 139

Second Reading: Acts of the Apostles 13: 22-26

Gospel reading according to Luke (1: 57-66, 80)

+

Homily:

Every woman, who is married, is expected to bear a child (or children) in her younger years.  In the case of Elisabeth, wife of Zechariah, it is different for she was already an old woman as well as her husband, and her monthly period stopped long time ago, but in God nothing is impossible, all is possible, for He gave her a wonderful gift, she conceived a son whom she will call him John, as the Archangel Gabriel announced to her and to her husband Zechariah, while he was offering an incense to the altar of God in the Temple of Jerusalem when the lots fell on him.  He asked God, for so long a time until the present to have a child, and this was answered by God and announced to him by the Archangel Gabriel but he did not believe the angel, that was why he became mute.  “When the time arrived for Elizabeth to have her child she gave birth to a son” (Lk. 1:57).  As the Archangel Gabriel foretold Elizabeth that she will conceive a child and so it happened.  She carried her child with Zechariah in her womb, for God listened to their prayers to have even only one child.  Elizabeth believed to the angel while her husband Zechariah did not.  Also, God had a plan for the salvation and liberation of His people through their son, John.

The news about her pregnancy spread wide and far.  It reached to as many people in Jerusalem, Judea and as far as Nazareth, to the house of Joseph and Mary who also pregnant to Jesus for three months, and as near as her neighbors and relatives in Ain Karim, where they were living.  “Her neighbors and relatives heard that the Lord had shown his great mercy toward her, and they rejoiced with her” (Lk. 1: 58).  God is merciful to those who believe in Him.  He listens to their prayers and grants, according to His desire and design, what they prayed and asked.  He “had shown his great mercy toward her,” and to as many people who begged Him. God fulfilled the prophecy earlier spoken to John's father by the Archangel Gabriel.

After John’s birth and on the eight day, and the time of circumcision according to the Law of Moses came, and at the same time of giving name, “When they came on the eight day to circumcise the child, they were going to call him Zechariah after his father, but his mother said in reply, ‘No.  He will be called John’.” (Lk. 1: 59-60).  Usually, the father is the one giving name to their child.  Giving name is very important to a child, for his or her name will symbolize, more or less, what he or she will become or the role to perform.  Like John which means God (Yahweh) has been gracious; has shown favor, and reflecting on his unique role as the precursor and who will prepare the way of the Lord, Jesus Christ.  In giving name, like for example, Zechariah which means, the Lord has remembered.  It shows that God remembers His promises.  Elizabeth which means either oath of God or God is satisfaction.  That God gives satisfaction.  And to other names that give importance to the child in his or her future.  Because Zechariah could not speak then, his neighbors and relatives as well were the ones giving name to his son after to his name; but the mother, Elizabeth, intervened and with strong conviction and firmness to fulfill the oath she swore to the Archangel Gabriel, she said, “No!”.  Nobody can change the satisfaction and the graciousness of God toward her.  She strongly and with firmness said, “He will be called John,” to fulfill what the Archangel told her the name to be given to her son.      

In the eyes and hearing of the neighbors and relatives they were not satisfied.  They wanted to confirm from the father what the mother said, for they were insisting.  “But they answered her, ‘There is no one among your relatives who has this name” (Lk. 1: 61).  They were as if more knowledgeable than Elizabeth, but before she conceived a child they were accusing Elizabeth as well as Zechariah sinners and were punished by God for not having a child in their younger age.  Now, they are too “pakialamero at pakialamera” (preponderant) to the two couple.  “So they made signs, asking his father what he wished him to be called.  He asked for a tablet and wrote, ‘John is his name,’ and all were amazed” (Lk. 1: 62-63).  Elizabeth and Zechariah before the birth of their son already agreed the name to be given to him as what the Archangel Gabriel told them.  This name came from the Lord God almighty, and they should not change it or give a new name aside from John. Their neighbors and relatives were dumbfounded and speechless, they could not believe that even the father agreed with his wife which is supposed to be the father is more powerful, more authoritarian and to be followed by his household members.  But instead the two couple shown they were equal.  Anyone of them can listen to and talk and decide freely.  In the house of Zechariah, there is, the Lord has remembered and the oath of God or God is satisfaction for God has been gracious.  He has shown his favor with them.    

When everything has been fulfilled and satisfied, and because now Zechariah believed to what the Archangel said to him, “Immediately his mouth was opened, his tongue freed, and he spoke blessing God” (Lk 1: 64).  His tongue was loosened; he opened his mouth, praising God and gave a prophetic word about his son, John, called Zechariah’s Canticle.

Because of what had happened and what they witnessed about the birth of John, many were amazed, and fear of the Lord enveloped those who were present.  “Then fear came upon all their neighbors, and all these matters were discussed throughout the hill country of Judea” (Lk. 1: 65).  This event of what God had made to the family of Zechariah also spread wide throughout the hill country of Judea; some took it as a gossip, others gave praised and honor to God who satisfied the hearts’ desire of his faithful people, some discussed this incident.  “All who heard these things took them to heart, saying, ‘What, then, will this child be?’ For surely the hand of the Lord was with him” (Lk. 1: 66).  Like Mary and Elizabeth, those who heard the news kept them to their hearts.  They were also asking and imagining what will happen to John since the hands of the Lord are working in him. 

“The child grew and became strong in spirit, and he was in the desert until the day of his manifestation to Israel” (Lk. 1: 80).  When John grew up and full of the spirit of the Lord, and when his parents were gone, he stayed in the desert, practicing his power to preach repentance and baptizing, and waiting for the coming of the Messiah, the anointed One of the Lord God.