Word to the Wise
Monday, December 23, 2013 -
[Malachi 3:1-4, 23-24 and Luke 1:57-66,]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.
The child in question here is John the Baptist. All the marveling by the people is about how Zechariah regained his speech by writing the name "John" on a tablet to affirm Elizabeth's statement! That amusing interchange can get lost in the magnificent canticle of Zechariah that follows! It will be the gospel for tomorrow! Zechariah was struck dumb because he doubted Gabriel's message that he and Elizabeth would become parents in their old age. It was only when he acknowledged his son by giving him a name that he recovered his speech! We should, perhaps, recall that Mary and Joseph had their initial doubts as well!
An old hymn begins with "God is working his purpose out....!" Despite human doubts, even if well-founded, God's purpose is being worked. The nativity scene reminds us of what Zechariah will say in the first line of his canticle: "Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel; for he has come to his people and set them free." That is the message that Zechariah's son, John, will proclaim! By setting up that nativity scene, we proclaim it too! AMEN