Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint Luke 1, 57-66, 80
Now the time came for Elizabeth to give birth, and she bore a son. Her neighbours and relatives heard that the Lord had shown his great mercy to her, and they rejoiced with her. On the eighth day they came to circumcise the child, and they were going to name him Zechariah after his father. But his mother said, “No; he is to be called John.” They said to her, “None of your relatives has this name.” Then they began motioning to his father to find out what name he wanted to give him. He asked for a writing tablet and wrote, “His name is John.” And all of them were amazed. Immediately his mouth was opened and his tongue freed, and he began to speak, praising God. Fear came over all their neighbors, and all these things were talked about throughout the entire hill country of Judea. All who heard them pondered them and said, “What then will this child become?” For, indeed, the hand of the Lord was with him. The child grew and became strong in spirit, and he was in the wilderness until the day he appeared publicly to Israel.
What will become of this child?
1) Elizabeth: Elizabeth’s story is difficult as she is considered cursed because she did not have any children. In addition, the shame that she feels engulfs her due to the gaze of those who surround her, who judge her, who stare at her. How many times has it happened to you or does it happen to you that fear and shame consume you because you feel you have failed or that things do not turn out the way you imagined them? An elderly Elizabeth becomes pregnant because nothing is impossible for God. Today I remind you “nothing is impossible for God,” so continue because nothing is lost. We can always continue to move forward because remember that God can do great things.
2) Zechariah: The figure of a religious man, a priest, but who doubts and does not understand God’s plan. How many are there who are religious but whose doubts and fears cause them to suffer from day to day? God repeatedly will leave you speechless. How many Zechariahs surround you? Those who see so many works of God, so many miracles, but nevertheless they continue doubting.
3) John the Baptist: With this story, we see that not everything is always straightforward as 2 + 2 = 4. There are no formulas here. It involves living day to day and understanding that God continues to work with greatness in your life and that he makes you an instrument so that those who know you can praise God through you. It is beautiful that when people meet you, they are able to see that God exists.
May God bless you in the name of the Father, of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. And always remember Heaven is our goal.
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