Daily Gospel Reflection for June 24, 2024: The Solemnity of the Nativity of St. John the Baptist

Join us as we reflect, ponder, and pray together inspired by today's Gospel.

Reflection by Lyn Francisco

Today's Gospel: Luke 1:57-66, 80

Today’s Gospel reading from Luke recounts the story of the birth of St. John the Baptist and how he came to be named John. Notice that it’s his mother, Elizabeth, who insisted, “he will be called John” when everyone else was insisting he should be called Zechariah after his father. Even the argument that no one else in her family had this name did not sway her. “He will be called John,” said Elizabeth. She was backed by her (then-)mute husband as he wrote the same on a tablet: “John is his name.” One might say, yes, the mother got her way.

Going back in time, both Elizabeth and Zechariah were “righteous in the eyes of God” but were advanced in years. Zechariah, when informed by the angel Gabriel that Elizabeth was to bear him a son, expressed doubt, and his tongue was tied and he was rendered speechless as he did not believe the words of the angel. Elizabeth, on the other hand, willingly accepted what the Lord said He would do as she said, “So has the Lord done for me at a time when he has seen fit to take away my disgrace before others” (Luke 1:25). Just as Mary said her yes to God when she was told she would bear a son, Elizabeth said yes and accepted what the angel told her husband.

Ponder:

Have you ever had doubts about what your path is or what God’s will for you may be?

Pray:

Gracious God, just as Elizabeth and Mary said yes to You, may we also say yes to God as we discern His will in our day -to-day lives.

Copyright 2024 Lyn Francisco

Lyn Francisco, an organic chemist by training and education, works with the Office of Undergraduate Education at Duke University. In her spare time, she occupies organ benches in churches around Durham, North Carolina.