Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to 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.

Be humble like John and jump for joy

1 Elizabeth. She is the figure of God’s mercy and His power. For with God, nothing is impossible. God always gives us hope; He reminds us that no one is dead. For the Hebrew world, it was considered a punishment that Elizabeth did not have a child, but God shows us that His logic is not the same as ours. He takes care of us and sends His power and His strength until the last minute.

2 John. He is the child who leapt with joy in his mother’s womb in the presence of God, when Mary visited Elizabeth. How many unborn children have jumped in their mother’s womb when they feel God’s presence! Let us pray for them today. Pray for those children who have been aborted. Let us also pray that you may have the joy of experiencing God’s presence in your life. Return to God and remember that He gives you joy.

3 Neighbors and friends. They represent God’s people who change from judgement to praise. We have done this too, even in the Church. How many saints have been given a hard time in the Church? I’m thinking of Saint Francis, Saint John Bosco, Saint Anthony, Saint Pio of Pietrelcina and so many others. They suffered judgement and hard times, but now they are considered pillars of the Church! We must remember that God acts to manifest His power in those people who we judge.

God bless you in the name of the Father, of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. And never forget that Heaven is our goal!