Reflection for Wednesday 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:

What’s in a name?

At first glance, it may seem that the name given to the child of Elizabeth and Zechariah was simply a matter of family preference or tradition. Yet, as we reflect more deeply, we realize that the issue was not merely about a name. It was about obedience to God's will and trust in His divine plan.

Their relatives wanted the child to be named after his father, Zechariah. From a human perspective, that seemed reasonable and appropriate. But God had something different in mind. The Lord had chosen the name John long before the child was born, and Elizabeth and Zechariah faithfully embraced God's choice rather than yielding to human expectations.

Because they remained obedient, God's blessing unfolded before their eyes. The moment the child was named John, Zechariah's mouth was opened, his tongue was freed, and he began praising and blessing God. What had been a period of silence was transformed into a testimony of God's faithfulness and power.

This beautiful event reminds us that God's blessings often flow through our obedience. When we faithfully follow His will, even when it goes against popular opinion, personal preferences, or worldly expectations, we open our hearts to His grace. His will is never meant to restrict us; rather, it leads us to freedom, healing, peace, and a deeper relationship with Him.

God continues to ask the same thing of us today: faithfulness. He calls us to live lives that are pleasing in His sight, to trust His wisdom above our own, and to follow His ways even when the path is difficult to understand. Whenever we choose to follow the values of this temporary world instead of God's eternal truth, we often find ourselves burdened by confusion, frustration, and unnecessary complications. But when we surrender to His will, we discover the peace and joy that only He can give.

As we go through our daily lives, may we learn from the example of Elizabeth and Zechariah. May we have the courage to trust God's plans, the humility to obey His voice, and the faith to believe that His ways are always best.

Today, are there areas of our lives where we are still holding on to our own plans, preferences, or expectations instead of surrendering to God's will? Are we willing to trust Him completely and obey Him, knowing that His purpose for us is far greater than anything we could choose for ourselves?—Marino J. Dasmarinas