Word to the Wise
Wednesday, December 23, 2015 -
[Malachi 3:1-4, 23-24 and Luke 1:57-66]"John is his name." [Luke]
The famous Shakespearan line comes to mind: "What's in a name?" The importance of names shows up early in the scriptures when God gives Adam the power to give every creature its name. However, in the case of John the Baptist and Jesus, God makes the choice! In the case of John, the Hebrew name means, "God had shown great favor." That has been the whole theme of Elizabeth's pregnancy and is the reason why all the neighbors gathering for the important rite of circumcision are there, to rejoice with a woman who was once barren (considered a curse).
Of course, the neighbors, who would know about Zechariah's muteness could not connect that with naming a child. They come with their usual expectations. Rejoicing turns to fear when Zechariah writes "John is his name," on the tablet and immediately starts talking again. Then Zechariah sings his own canticle that somewhat parallets Mary's canticle earlier.
Luke was not writing for our Advent and Christmas liturgical celebration. He wrote to explain Jesus' and John's origins and to clear up the place of John in the early Christian preaching. The nativity scene is a reminder that all of this is God's work. Divine intervention is at the center of the Incarnation. This caused fear in the neighbors at the circumcision, but I hope it will bring about "hope" in all of us and in our world in this season. AMEN
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