'Meanwhile the people were waiting for Zechariah and were amazed that he stayed so long in the sanctuary. 22 But when he came out, he was unable to speak to them, and they realized that he had seen a vision in the sanctuary. He was gesturing to them but remained mute. 23 Then, when his days of ministry were completed, he went home. 24 After this time his wife Elizabeth conceived, and she went into seclusion for five months, saying, 25 “So has the Lord done for me at a time when he has seen fit to take away my disgrace before others.” 57 When the time arrived for Elizabeth to have her child she gave birth to a son. 58 Her neighbors and relatives heard that the Lord had shown his great mercy toward her, and they rejoiced with her. 59 When they came on the eighth day to circumcise the child, they were going to call him Zechariah after his father, 60 but his mother said in reply, “No. He will be called John.” 61 But they answered her, “There is no one among your relatives who has this name.” 62 So they made signs, asking his father what he wished him to be called. 63 He asked for a tablet and wrote, “John is his name,” and all were amazed. 64 Immediately his mouth was opened, his tongue freed, and he spoke blessing God. 65 Then fear came upon all their neighbors, and all these matters were discussed throughout the hill country of Judea. 66 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 (Lk. 1:21-25,57-66).'
God chose the Temple to announce the birth of the herald for the Messiah. Zechariah began the evening sacrifice in the Temple but because he could not speak after Gabriel left him, he was not able bless the people to complete the sacrifice (v. 21-23). Elizabeth conceived and secluded herself for five months. The angel Gabriel came to Mary in the sixth month to announce the conception of Jesus and that Elizabeth was pregnant (v. 36). When John was born Elizabeth’s neighbors and relatives rejoiced with her. Again, Luke stresses that our response to God’s action in our lives should be one of great joy.
Circumcision incorporated John and Jesus into the ‘body of Israel’ just as Baptism incorporates Christians into the Body of Christ. The family expected the child to be named Zechariah after his father, but Elizabeth said that he should be named John. Zechariah, who was deaf (vv. 62-63) and could not hear Elizabeth’s response, also said the baby should be named John. When Zechariah was able to speak his first words were to praise God. Maybe Zechariah was not struck deaf and dumb as a punishment for disbelief but in order to show the mercy and power of God.
Almighty and all powerful God, look with mercy upon your children and open our eyes to the magnificent works you perform in our lives. Without you we are deaf, dumb, and blind. Through your Gospel and the light of Christ may our faculties be awakened to your presence and by our love for you may we be brought to everlasting life. This we pray through Christ our Lord. Amen!
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References
Chiu, José Enrique Aguilar, et al. The Paulist Biblical Commentary. Paulist Press, 2018.
Faculty of the University of Navarre. The Navarre Bible: New Testament Expanded Edition. Expanded Edition, Four Courts / Scepter, 2008.
Brown, Raymond Edward, et al. The New Jerome Biblical Commentary. Upper Saddle River, NJ, United States, Prentice Hall, 1990.
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