Solemnity of the Nativity of Saint John the Baptist
Today we celebrate the feast of the nativity of St. John the Baptist, the great precursor. The Gospel tells of how his father received the news of his upcoming birth. “Do not be afraid, Zechariah, because your prayer has been heard,” says the angel of the Lord to a troubled man experiencing an astonishing inbreaking of God. What he had long and fervently prayed for was finally receiving a response, at a time in which he least expected it: a child when both he and his wife were advanced in years.
How had Zechariah’s relationship to the prayer of his heart changed throughout the years? Had it taught him patience? Had he come to believe that the answer would simply be “No.” Had he mourned the loss of the dreams that once were and moved on? Had he given up hope?
His story shows us that whatever prayers we have carried, or whatever prayers have carried us throughout the years may one day receive astonishing and unexpected answers. Even if the prayer has evolved over time or simply ceased to exist, let us always reverence the space that it once held in our hearts. It has helped bring us to where we are now, and now is as good of a time as any to await an inbreaking of God.