is the grace which is given to us of receiving our Lord Himself into our hearts in Holy Communion! Then, indeed, we ought to think and say: “Whence is this that my Lord and my God should come to me!”
Application. Cherish a filial love and veneration for the most Blessed Mary, Virgin and Mother of God. Say devoutly in her honour such prayers as the Litany of Loreto &c, and frequent all devotions practised in her honour.
Chapter IV.
BIRTH OF JOHN THE BAPTIST.
[Luke x, 56 — 80.]
THE time[1] of her delivery being come, Elizabeth brought forth a son, according to the promise[2] of the Angel. All her neighbours and her kinsfolk rejoiced with her. Eight days after his birth the child was circumcised. The relatives and friends thought the child should be called Zachary like his father. But Elizabeth answered: “Not so, he shall be called John.”[3] Upon this they reminded her that there was no one in the family who bore that name.
Then they made signs[4] to his father, how he would have him called. But he, being still dumb, made signs, and demanding a tablet[5] wrote on it: “John is his name.” At the same moment
- ↑ The time. The time appointed by God.
- ↑ The promise . See chapter I.
- ↑ John. The law ordered that a child should be circumcised on the eighth day after his birth, he being thereby admitted to the covenant of God and the communion of the faithful (Old Test. XI). At his circumcision a name was given to the child. Now, how did Elizabeth know that her child was to be called John ? She knew it by the inspiration of the Holy Ghost, with whom she had been filled ever since the visit of the Mother of God. It was customary to give a child at his circumcision the name of some relative, and as none of Zachary’s family had the name of John, there was some hesitation about complying with Elizabeth’s wishes, without first learning the opinion of her husband.
- ↑ Signs. Zachary being deaf and dumb, they had to inquire of him by signs what name he wished to be given to his son.
- ↑ Tablet. Why did he write, “John is his name” ? Because this was the name which God, by His angel, had already given to the child. The name of John signifies “Jehovah has had mercy”. What the angel foretold to Zachary had now come to pass; the child was born, had been circumcised, and had received the name ordained by God; so now the sign was no longer required, and Zachary was able to speak and hear again.
