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.
+ + + + + + +
Reflection:
A married couple in
their late-thirties was finally blessed by God with a child. They were so happy
for they thought that they would not have a child anymore. Therefore, the
married couple promised God that they would properly take care of this child.
They also said to God that they would teach this child how to be simple and
humble and they would introduce this child to Him by bringing the child with
them whenever they would attend Holy Mass.
What does a new born
child brings to a family? It brings unfathomable joy and rejoicing. This was
how the couple Elizabeth and Zechariah felt during that time. The new born
child did not only bring joy to his parents, he also brought healing to his
father Zechariah who had problem with speaking.
Do you properly take
care of your child? This child that is given to you as a blessing by God? Do
you teach your child about God and your faith? Do you teach this child to be
humble and to live simply? Do you bring this growing child to church for Holy
Mass?
What can we learn
from the nativity of Saint John the Baptist? We learn that there is a reward
that awaits for parents who are faithful to the will of God. We learn that when
a child is taught about values of simplicity and humility the child would grow
up to be simple and humble as well.
John grew up as a
simple and humble man, he grew up faithful to God’s will for him. We cannot
only attribute these virtues of John to God alone. Both Elizabeth and Zechariah
(his parents) played also an important role in instilling him these virtues of
humility and simplicity. Zechariah and Elizabeth did not only teach John about
simplicity and humility. They spent time with the child John and both of them
lived humility and simplicity also.
Many children today
are being pampered and spoiled by their parents. They buy their children the
newest gadgets to supposedly show their love. However, giving them the latest
gadgets is not a show of love.
It’s in fact a
testament of parent’s lack of real and unconditional love towards their
children. Real and unconditional love is
when you spend time with your children and you don’t count the cost of the time
that you spend with them. You simply savor and treasure that time for you know
that the time spent with your children is a time well spent which no money or
gadgets can replace.
Do you still bond
with your children by giving them your time? Do you live the virtues of
humility and simplicity and do you teach your child how to be humble and simple?
– Marino J. Dasmarinas
