Luke 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.
* * *
Introductory Prayer: Lord, as I humbly kneel before you in
prayer, I recognize your power and glory. Without you, I am nothing, but with
you I can do all things. With this trust, I implore you to help me make good
use of this time of prayer as an expression of my deep desire to love and
imitate you. I am here to please and glorify you.
Petition: Lord,
help me to appreciate more deeply the role of parents and families as domestic
churches.
1. Amazing
Grace: Elizabeth and Zechariah received the
great grace of a child in their old age. And not just any child: he was John
the Baptist. To ready him for his great vocation, he would need the love and
guidance that are unique to parents. Great people often trace their path from
the love of a mom or dad (frequently both), who might remain hidden from the
world. Am I grateful to my parents for what I received from them? Am I
regularly seeking what is truly best for my spouse and children and not just
what seems best in the eyes of the world?
2. God’s
Call: The child would not be named after his
father, but rather would receive the name God chose. The great tension in the
life of a child (and sometimes an adult) is the close identity they have with a
parent ― or with a parent’s plans for their life. In truth, our identity rests
in our heavenly Father. God alone gives us meaning and a vocation in life.
Could there be expectations of a parent or other family member that hold me
back from God’s plan for me? Or, if I am a parent, do I unjustly impose my
plans on my children? Do I interfere in their vocation? In their marriage?
3. Zechariah’s
“Yes” - Zechariah’s voice returns only after he
acquiesces to God’s plan and agrees to the child’s name. When we finally say
“yes” to God in our life, that’s when we find the deepest meaning of our lives.
That’s when we can express ourselves the best. Am I keeping God waiting?
Conversation
with Christ:
Lord, Zechariah took a long and winding road on his path over nine months.
Let me see my own life as a path, and have patience with those who are still on
their path.
Resolution: Today, I’ll say
“yes” to one thing that God has been asking of me.