12th Sunday C/ Birth of St. John
 

2 Samuel 12:7-10,13 / Ps 32/ Gal. 2:16-21/ Lk. 7:36-8:3
  Introduction
 

          Martin Heidegger in his book “Being and Time” wrote about the “thrownness.” He thinks that when a baby is born, he is “thrown” into a certain space or family that he never chose. If he is “thrown” into a Royal family then he might become a prince, but if he is “thrown” into a poor family in Africa so it will be his life. But in the case of John, it was not what Heidegger would think life is. John was not “accidentally thrown” into the family of Zachariah, but his birth was carefully planned by God. He will prepare the way of the Lord.

  
  Background
 
  1. The naming of a son happens during his circumcision, 8 days after his birth. The whole community was excited because they were involved in the naming of the child. The name was usually descriptive. It describes the manner he was born (Moses means “taken from the water”), his physical appearance or they would take the name of the parents or relatives (“why John? No one in your family named John”). But most often they would insist the wishes and the hopes of the community for the child (“What would this child be?”).

  2. His birth is planned by God. John’s parents were old and her mother Elizabeth was barren. They were both not capable of having a baby and yet she conceived a child and born a son. Therefore John was not from their effort. He was freely given to them as a gift. So it was his name. (John means “gift of God.”)

  3. He will be “the Voice” who will announce the coming of the Lord. Zachariah did not believe when it was announced by an angel thus he was unable to speak until named his child “John.” When the “Voice” was named, this Zachariah received back his own voice. He was able to speak and sung his own canticle of thanksgiving.In the end of the Gospel we have the list of women whose help was practical. Being women, they were not allowed to preach; but they were allowed to give whatever gifts they had for the work of God. It was always considered to be a pious act to support a Rabi. These women served Jesus and his apostles out of their resources and that made them preachers as well.
  
  Reflection:  
 
  1. Every baby is a gift from God. Every child conceived in the womb should be a cause for a joy fore very parent. Every soul is created by God from the first moment of conception and therefore it is sacred. That’s why abortion is an “absolute NO.” We understand that it is hard to have a number of babies nowadays but it should not be a reason to kill an unborn child. Behind every gift is a giver. If you throw away the gift, you are cutting away your friendship with the Giver. If you value the gift, you value the giver.

  2. Every baby is a blessing. When a parent looks that the eyes of new born child he sees his future.  Every child is filled with a lot of potentials and we never know he could be the “treasure” that the couple has been waiting for. When you say no to life, you say no, not only to the unborn child but to all honor and pride he can give to your family when become successful in his career. The child you are embracing now could be the same person that will embrace you and take care of you, when you feel sick, lonely and old.

  3. Every child has a mission to do. The youth of today should not only spend whole day with video games. We should teach them how to reflect on their purpose and missions in life. From it, may they find meaning in life. Why they are here, why they were created by God. Like St John, they should know how to make firm decisions in life, and learn to fight for his principles. Learn to analyze the present situation of world. Most all he should have a clear conviction on what he believes in.
 
  Conclusion  
 

        God has a plan for all of us. We are not just thrown into this world as Heidegger would put it. We have a purpose of being here. We have a place in this world and every new born baby has the right to be here.  If you found your mission in life, then you can find its meaning. If you found its meaning then you find yourself. Only then you can have a real name to keep.