Solemnity of the Nativity of St. John the Baptist
“You, child, shall be called prophet of the Most High.” On this feast of the birth of John the Baptist this gospel acclamation points us directly to John’s identity and role. It also points us to our identity and role. First, like all of us, John is a child of God. You and I, every human being, is a child of God. Take a moment and soak that in for yourself. You are a beloved child of God. The people closest to you, those far away, those you love, and those who drive you crazy - each a beloved child of God. It’s easy to read quickly over this, “sure,” you say, “I know that.” It is one thing to know this in our heads. It is an entirely different thing to feel this in our hearts, our bodies, in the depth of our being. Again, I say, let it soak in, “you are a beloved child of God.”
Not only are you beloved, but with John, you are a prophet! In baptism, we are anointed priest, prophet, and king. What does that mean for each of us who are anointed as prophets? When we think of prophets, we often think first of their prophetic words, speaking God’s Word in and for the community. The prophet John proclaims, “Repent! The kingdom of God is at hand!” But the prophets are more than their words. The prophets engage in prophetic action. John relied totally on God eating locusts and honey. This total reliance is part of his proclamation, a symbol of what repentance looks like. John eats wild honey. God’s promise throughout the Old Testament is that the promised land, or the kingdom of God, will be flowing with milk and honey. John is pointing us to God’s promise, which is already present, even as we await its fullness. Prophetic actions tell us as much as prophetic words.
In today’s Gospel reading, we encounter the prophetic words and action of his parents, which tell us something about God and about John’s ministry. While the gathered community pressured Elizabeth to name the child after his dad, she was firm, “No, he will be called John.” John means “God is gracious.” This is Elizabeth’s prophet act. This prophet’s identity is beyond the immediate family, this child will proclaim with his life that God is gracious. The community did not understand. Zechariah was firm and wrote, “His name is John.” This is Zechariah’s prophetic action, emphasizing not himself as dad, but emphasizing God’s goodness even when God prevented him from speaking.
As the Church celebrates the Nativity of John the Baptist, it’s a good opportunity for us to reflect on our baptism and anointing as prophets. What prophetic action that proclaims God’s graciousness, God’s love, is God inviting you to take today? What words of God’s gracious love might you speak today?
—Kelly Adamson