HOMILY OF MONDAY 12TH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME – YEAR B

HOMILY OF MONDAY 12TH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME – YEAR B

HOMILY THEME: JOHN THE BAPTIST AND THE REST OF US

BY: Fr. Evaristus E. Abu

Isaiah 49:1-6; Acts of the Apostles 13:22-26; Luke 1:57-66, 80

“The child grew and became strong in spirit, and he was in the wilderness until the day he appeared publicly to Israel.” (Luke 1:80)

Today is Saint John the Baptist’s birthday. Do you know it is exactly six months to Christmas Day? We can tell it is John the Baptist’s birthday because while announcing Jesus’ birth to Mary, Angel Gabriel declared: “Behold, your kinswoman Elizabeth in her old age has also conceived a son; and this is the sixth month with her who was called barren. For with God nothing will be impossible.” (Luke 1:36-37). In the church’s liturgical calendar, John the Baptist is one of the few saints whose birthdays are celebrated. This is because John the Baptist’s birth and life contains a lot of significant lessons. Let us now highlight some of these lessons.

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– John the Baptist’s life teaches us that with God, nothing is impossible. Here is a child whose mother was declared barren and made a laughing stock by her neighbours. If God delays your blessing, he wants to do something that others will hear and say: “Only God can do this.” It is not too late for you if Elizabeth was blessed in old age.

– In John the Baptist, we learn that no human life comes into existence randomly. God does the selection, arrangement, and planning. We existed in God’s mind even before we were formed in our mother’s womb. Psalm 139:13 says: “For it was you who formed my inward parts; you knit me together in my mother’s womb.” God already had a plan for John the Baptist before his birth, so God sent Angel Gabriel to his Father, Zechariah. The prophet Isaiah also relates this in our first reading: “The Lord called me from the womb, from the body of my mother he named my name.” (Isaiah 49:1).

– Names are not merely means of identification; they are spiritual. What did Angel Gabriel tell Zechariah when He appeared in the temple? “Do not be afraid, Zechariah, for your prayer is heard, and your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you shall call his name John.” (Luke 1:13). You shall call his name John. This would not have been part of the message if names were unimportant. Names are very powerful. In his book, “Long Walk to Freedom”, Nelson Mandela wrote that the greatest gift he received from his father was the gift of his name. Your name has a way of shaping your life.

– When naming your child, ensure you choose a meaningful name. Do not pick a name because it is popular or sounds good in the ear. Our Gospel passage today records the naming ceremony of John the Baptist. The family members planned to call him Zechariah, after his father. Why? They thought he would be a replica of his father; they wanted him to continue where his father stopped. They had good intentions, but it would amount to disobeying God’s instruction about the child if they had given him that name.

– Zachariah could not talk, so they gave him a writing tablet. Would he bow to pressure by saying the child should be called Zechariah according to the mind of his kinsmen? Would he give in to pride by insisting on the name Zechariah so that his name would continue to be heard even after his death? It was a great test for him. In the end, Zechariah did what was right; he wrote the name John as instructed by Angel Gabriel. He passed the test. And to reward him, God restored his power of speech. Imagine what would have happened if he had not obeyed?

– Children are not merely a continuation of their parents’ lives. Every child deserves their name; they have a destiny that may not necessarily align with their parents. Zechariah sang praises to God when his speech was restored. He repented from complaining and doubting. Like Zechariah, learn to praise God even when things appear very difficult. Zechariah waited for so many years, and at some point, he became bittered; he continued his priestly duties but no longer believed in God. He never knew that God was planning something huge for him.

– The people wondered: “What will this child turn out to be?” This is the same question we should ask when life forms in the womb. You do not know what that baby will become tomorrow. If you are planning to abort an unborn baby, make sure you seek permission from the baby first, and make sure you also check the baby’s future. My point is: Abortion is wrong in every ramification. You have no right to kill just because the baby is too small to defend itself. If you do not want a child, do not engage in any activity that can lead to other activities that culminate in pregnancy.

– Our second reading sums up John the Baptist’s life. He fulfilled his destiny, prepared the way for Jesus, and drew people’s attention to the Messiah. People thought he was the Messiah when he became very popular, but he clearly declared, “I am not him. No, but after me, one is coming, the sandals of whose feet I am not worthy to untie.” John the Baptist’s life is a textbook on humility.

Let us pray: Almighty, ever-living God, increase my respect for the life of the unborn. We ask this through Our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God forever and ever. Amen.

Be Happy. Live Positive. Have Faith. It is well with you. May God’s abundant blessings be upon us all. (The Birthday of Saint John the Baptist.

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