Birth of St. John the Baptist

He asked for a tablet and wrote, “John is his name,”
Lk 1:57-66. 80

Her neighbors and relatives heard that the Lord had shown his great mercy toward her, and they rejoiced with her.

The birth of John the Baptist was a joyful event two times over. First, Eliza-beth was childless. That condition was a curse and a shame. With the birth of the child, the curse and the shame were taken away.

Second, like other cultures boys were preferred to girls. The birth of a boy was another source of joy.

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.” 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.”

In the book of Exodus, circumcision became the external sign of membership in God’s chosen people. It was a religious ceremony that took place 8 days after the birth of a boy.

It was also on this occasion that the boy was given his name. The act of naming is the privilege of the father. Naming is an act by which the father recognizing the baby as his. Neither Zechariah nor Elizabeth named the child. John was the name given by God through the angel Gabriel. God was setting apart the child for himself. God was giving John the Baptist the mission of preparing the way of Jesus Christ.

Immediately his mouth was opened, his tongue freed, and he spoke blessing God. Then fear came upon all their neighbors.

Because Zechariah did not put faith in the words of the angel Gabriel, he was punished. He became dumb. But with the fulfillment of God’s promise, the punishment was lifted. He could now speak.

And his first words were a prayer of blessing which came to be known as the Benedictus. The title is taken from the first word of the prayer which is “Blessed” – “Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel.” Blessed in Latin is Benedictus. The Benedictus is essentially a prayer of praise and thanksgiving to God.

The reaction of the people was one of fear. But it is not the fear that arises in front of something frightening. The better word would be awe (pagkamangha) which would be the reaction in front of a spectacular deed. In this case, it was God’s hand surrounding the birth of John the Baptist.

Message

1. Childless. Difficult pregnancy. There are couples who are unable to con-ceive a child. Some avail of expensive medical intervention. Others choose to adopt a child. Still others go to Obando, hoping to obtain a miracle. St. Dominic Savio is an unofficial patron saint of couples who are unable to conceive or moth-ers experiencing a difficult pregnancy. Wear a medal of St. Dominic Savio and make a novena. You don’t have to have any official prayers. Your own words will do.

2. Prayer. Often we equate praying with asking. But that is not so. Traditionally there are four kinds of prayer--ACTS. A is adoration. C is contrition. T is thanksgiving. And S is supplication.

3. Raising a boy. McCann Ericson did a study of men in Metro Manila. The study reveals that a great number of men are Mama's boy. Four practicing clinical psychologists agree. And they quickly add that that is bad news because a man who is unable to tear himself from his mommy's skirt will probably be neither a good husband nor a good father. He will probably not be a good husband because the mother not the wife who will continue to exert a powerful influence in his life. He will probably not be a good father because he will not be able to model to his children how a man should related to his wife and to his mother.

For mothers. When your son enters puberty, be the one to draw back and let your son bond with his father. Sons are not yet emotionally mature to “leave” you and put himself under the mentorship of his father.

For fathers. Bond with your son and mentor him. Bonding means creat-ing an emotional attachment. Mentoring means teaching him how to be a man, to be an adult, to be a husband and to be a father.

Your involvement at the various transitions in his life is critical. Circumcision can be a powerful ritual that signifies that the phase of learning to be a man under the tutelage of his father has begun. Learning to drive can be another rite of pas-sage as in the US. You yourself can teach your son not only how to drive but also discipline, responsibility and service. Another important transition is marriage. You should prepare your son for that important step and then give him your support in the early years of his married life.

And finally, many fathers forget this. And yet it is so important. A son craves for his father’s approval. He must hear it from your lips. A man wrote about his father who he felt was emotionally distant. That created a gaping hole in his heart. At his deathbed, his father called for him. He gestured for his son to come closer. His father held his hand and looking at him with tenderness, said, “Son, I am proud of you and I am happy to have you as my son.” The man wept. All his life he was longing for his father’s approval.

Conclusion

Parenting is a great privilege and a grave responsibility. Fathers and mothers, don't do it alone. You can’t really do it alone. Learn to fall on your knees and pray for yourselves and your children.

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The Salesians of Don Bosco is a religious congregation of priests and brothers dedicated to he welfare of the young. If you feel called by God to give your life for the good of the young, you may want help in discovering if this is really God's will for you. Please get in touch with the Vocation Director (Don Bosco North Province, Philippines) - 0917-7930112 - Bro. MON CALLO SDB.