THE WORD
Mal 3,1-4.23-24 / Lk 1,57-66
When the time arrived for Elizabeth to have her child she gave birth to a son. Her neighbors and relatives heard that the Lord had shown his great mercy toward her, and they rejoiced with her.
When they came on the eighth 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.” But they answered her, “There is no one among your relatives who has this name.” 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.
Immediately his mouth was opened, his tongue freed, and he spoke blessing God. Then fear came upon all their neighbors, and all these matters were discussed throughout the hill country of Judea. 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.
IN OTHER WORDS
So much excitement…so much anticipation! Just two days before the birth of our Lord Jesus in Bethlehem. God’s wonder is in the air: Christmas trees, Christmas lights and Christmas carols.
Just like the excitement that is building up as neighbors and relatives of Elizabeth, known as old and barren but now, pregnant, were beginning to wonder how it possibly happened. Would it be a normal delivery? How’s Zechariah taken this? I can imagine, there were more questions than answers.
And many more questions on Elizabeth’s giving birth to a son, “What, then, will this child be?” And on the eight day after the child’s birth, the time for the traditional circumcision and naming,
Elizabeth says it’s “John”! Zechariah, muted for questioning Angel Gabriel (Luke 1:18-20), scribbled down: “John is his name!” Henceforth, Zechariah could speak again! If I were there with the neighbors, I would have goose bumps all over and with more anticipations than questions.
In the First Reading from the Book of Malachi, the Lord is sending a messenger to prepare His “way and who is described like a refiner’s fire, refining the sons of Levi like gold or silver. As Elijah, the prophet, is being sent, God is Himself more excited because the people’s anticipation of the prophet from heaven will lead to His promised redemption. That is why our response today is, “Lift up your heads and see; your redemption is near at hand”.
And John, born and named, is also like Elijah, sent before the day the Lord comes. John is preparing the way of the Lord, and is leading us to our redemption because the birth of our Savior is near at hand and I am so excited!
- Fr. Arlo Bernardo S. Yap, SVD | CT Manila
The Word in other words 2016
An annual project of Logos Publications, The WORD in Other Words Bible Diary contains daily scripture readings and reflections written by priest, brothers, and sisters of the three congregations founded by St. Arnold Janssen (the SVD, SSpS, and SSpSAP). It hopes to serve as a daily companion to readers who continually seek the correlation of the Word of God and human experience.
