The Birth of John

Today's Reflections

                               

 

     

The Birth of John 

http://graceandspace.org

Lk 1:57-66, 80

⁵⁷When the time arrived for Elizabeth to have her child she gave birth to a son. ⁵⁸Her neighbors and relatives heard that the Lord had shown his great mercy toward her, and they rejoiced with her. ⁵⁹When they came on the eighth day to circumcise the child, they were going to call him Zechariah after his father, ⁶⁰but his mother said in reply, “No. He will be called John.” ⁶¹But they answered her, “There is no one among your relatives who has this name.” ⁶²So they made signs, asking his father what he wished him to be called. ⁶³He asked for a tablet and wrote, “John is his name,” and all were amazed. ⁶⁴Immediately his mouth was opened, his tongue freed, and he spoke blessing God. ⁶⁵Then fear came upon all their neighbors, and all these matters were discussed throughout the hill country of Judea. ⁶⁶All 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.

⁸⁰The child grew and became strong in spirit, and he was in the desert until the day of his manifestation to Israel.

Reflection:

John is his name. The birth of John is truly a great favor of God to the two old couple who have been childless. Their neighbors also rejoice with them. And the couple appropriately name him John. The meaning of John is “God is gracious.” John’s birth is a great sign of God’s graciousness not only to his parents but to God’s people and to us all.

In a similar manner, the birth of each human being should be to us a sign of God’s graciousness and a reason for joy. Unfortunately, with the spread of a contraceptive mentality, a newborn child is often seen as a burden rather than a bundle of joy.

Let us treasure our children!

They are a sign that God loves us!