Reflection for Tuesday June 24 Solemnity of the Nativity of Saint John the Baptist: Luke 1:57-66, 80

Gospel: Luke 1:57-66, 80

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

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Reflection:

Are you faithful to the Lord?

In many families, it is customary to name a newborn child after the father as a way of continuing the family name and legacy. This was the very thought in the minds of Elizabeth’s relatives when they insisted that her newborn son be named after his father, Zechariah.

But something greater had already taken place. Earlier, the Angel Gabriel had appeared to Zechariah while he was serving in the sanctuary. The angel brought with him a divine message—that the child was to be named John (Luke 1:13). This name was not chosen by man, but by God.

Faithful and obedient, both Elizabeth and Zechariah held firm to God’s word. They did not yield to the pressure of tradition or the expectations of others. Instead, they honored their covenant with the Lord. And what followed was a blessing: Zechariah’s tongue was loosened, and he was able to speak again—a reward for his trust and obedience.

What does this mean for us today? It is a reminder that God is faithful to those who are faithful to Him. The Lord never forgets those who keep His word and walk in His ways.

We are being invited by this Gospel to reflect on our own promises and commitments to God. You may ask yourself: What is my covenant with the Lord?

There are many. For example, if you are married, one of your sacred covenants is to remain faithful to your spouse—through joy and sorrow, health and sickness, until the very end.

As baptized Christians, we have promised to follow Christ and to remain true to the teachings of His Church. But let us ask: Have we been faithful to this call? Have we lived and shared the truths of our faith in our words and actions?

The Lord, who saw the faithfulness of Elizabeth and Zechariah, rewarded them. And He will do the same for us—if we remain true to Him.

Let us not lose heart. Let us renew our promise to God every day, in the quiet moments of prayer, in the small acts of love, and in the courage to live our faith boldly. – Marino J. Dasmarinas