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:
The story is told about a middle-aged married couple
who 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
