My dear friends, it is an interesting time as we await the celebration of the birthday of Christ, and the gospel speaks about his cousin John. It recalls his wonderful birth, circumcision, naming celebration, and miraculous restoration of the power of speech to his father Zacharia.
Elizabeth and Zacharia have been blessed by the Lord. On the visitation of Angel Gabriel over the birth of John the Baptist, they doubted the possibility of having a child in their old age. Elizabeth laughed over it when the message was given to her by Angel Gabriel. Zacharia, in his doubt, was struck dumb until the eighth day after the birth of John, when he miraculously received back his power of speech at the naming ceremony of his child.
Patience Amidst Crisis and Myths
Before the visitation of Angel Gabriel, Elizabeth and Zacharia patiently waited unto the Lord for his will to be done in their lives. They never wandered about in search of a child. They happily accepted their condition while waiting unto God until the message of Angel Gabriel to the family. Their patient waiting was in sharp contrast to what we see today in our local communities where some people are desperate to have a child.
In most developing nations, people are ready to do anything to get a child of their own. They are ready to abandon their faith, practice syncretism in search of a baby, move away to non-Christian denomination and other Christian bodies in search of a miracle to hear the cry of a baby in their family. They do not have the patience to wait at God’s appointed time due to the shame and stigma of being associated with barrenness. This is because, in some cultures, offspring is proof of fertility, otherwise one will be regarded as incapable of childbearing. In some other cultures, they associate that with some myths and beliefs of promiscuity, which is never the case. As such, people want to be proved right by having a baby, even if it entails turning away from the Lord in search of help elsewhere. But a baby is a gift of God and not gotten by our own power or force, as far as couples are medically fit. The myths associated with them are wrong. We must put our trust in the Lord and be patient with him while following the medical advice of experts. God has an appointed time and a reason for everything coming our way.
Marriage: An Enduring Contract
Elizabeth and Zacharia went through the shame and stigma of barrenness until the Lord remembered them with the gift of a baby boy in fulfilment of his promise. Both remained united and faithful to their married life even in the most challenging times and never divorced one another. And at last God cleared their tears and shame in their unbroken bond of married union. That is what marriage is all about. It is an enduring contract of sacrifice amidst all odds, and that’s what couples need to learn. Besides, the communion of life and love is one of the primary essences of married life. Childbearing, though important, is secondary. We must emulate the married union and patience of Elizabeth and Zacharia.
Living in the Spirit of God and Thanksgiving
The birth of John took away the shame of the family and the naming ceremony brought a huge joy to the family. Elizabeth followed the instruction of the angel and maintained the name John as given by the angel when she was visited. In writing and pronouncing his name, John, Zacharia received his healing and then blessed the Lord with his wonderful, thought-provoking, spirit-filled prayer of the Benedictus which is still being used daily at every morning prayer in thanksgiving to God.
The thanksgiving of Zacharia and Elizabeth was so eloquent that even their neighbours witnessed it and they came to share their joy with the family. They shared their joy and thanked God for his wonderful blessing. We are called to share the joy of God’s blessings everyday with friends and families, for joy shared is joy multiplied.
Peace be with you.
‘Joy shared is joy multiplied’. A very rich reflection that teaches the true essence of living. Thank you Fr Cyriacus for sharing with us.