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Malachi 3:1-4, 23-24
Psalm 25:4-5AB, 8-9, 10 & 14
Luke 1:57-66
Summary
During Advent, John the Baptist is a central figure in our Scriptural reflection—
preparing us for Christmas and reminding us of our individual call as disciples of
Jesus Christ. The first reading from the Book of Malachi announces the sending
of a messenger of the Covenant. Our Responsorial Psalm (25) offers a further
prophetic announcement; “Lift up your heads and see; your redemption is near at
hand.” And, so we are introduced to John the Baptist, who goes before the Lord
in the spirit of Elijah.
In today’s reading, John’s parents, filled with gratitude, present their son for cir-
cumcision and name him John. Biblical scholars comment frequently on the mul-
tiple parallels drawn in the Gospel of Luke between the birth, life and death of
John the Baptist, and the redemptive birth, life and death of Jesus Christ. Jesus
has a prophetic birth, anointing and calling. So too does John the Baptist. Even
John’s father has his tongue freed from his silence to praise God.
Reflection
In my baby book, which chronicles my early years, there is a precious picture of
my father sitting at the family dining room table, holding me in my baptismal
gown as an adoring older sister looks down in wonder. My expression is one of
contentment and I seem to be looking out into the world—a world of possibilities.
The date is December 28
,
1958 and I have just come from St. John Baptist de la
Salle in Granada Hills where Reverend John Lawless has welcomed me into the
Christian community as a child of God. My Christian name as proclaimed that
day is, Angela Mercedes, recalling the foundress
of the Ursuline sisters, Angela Merici. My father
had been educated as a child by the Ursulines
in Merced, California, and he had found this
community of religious women to be exemplary
witnesses to the faith. Thus, not long after the