WHAT, THEN, WILL THIS CHILD BE?

Is 49,1-6; Ps 138; At 13,22-26; Lk 1,57-66.80
24 JUNE
The Spirit of the Lord that is in man always makes him see his presence acting in other men. The prophet Zechariah attests this truth also in relation to the pagans. Jesus acts with the power of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit who is in their hearts urges them to see his action in Christ Jesus. Not only does he help them to see, he also urges them to seek Christ the Lord as the source of true salvation for them.

Thus says the Lord of hosts: There shall yet come peoples, the inhabitants of many cities; and the inhabitants of one city shall approach those of another, and say, “Come! let us go to implore the favour of the Lord”; and, “I too will go to seek the Lord.” Many peoples and strong nations shall come to seek the Lord of hosts in Jerusalem and to implore the favour of the Lord. Thus says the Lord of hosts: In those days ten men of every nationality, speaking different tongues, shall take hold, yes, take hold of every Jew by the edge of his garment and say, “Let us go with you, for we have heard that God is with you.” (Zec 8, 20-23). He went around all of Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom, and curing every disease and illness among the people. His fame spread to all of Syria, and they brought to him all who were sick with various diseases and racked with pain, those who were possessed, lunatics, and paralytics, and he cured them. And great crowds from Galilee, the Decapolis, Jerusalem, and Judea, and from beyond the Jordan followed him (Mt 4,23-25). When Jesus finished these words, the crowds were astonished at his teaching, for he taught them as one having authority, and not as their scribes (Mt 7,28-29).

The Holy Spirit acts with power in Philip. Simon Magus recognizes in the Deacon of Christ Jesus a power infinitely superior to his. He remains admired of it.

Thus Philip went down to (the) city of Samaria and proclaimed the Messiah to them. With one accord, the crowds paid attention to what was said by Philip when they heard it and saw the signs he was doing. For unclean spirits, crying out in a loud voice, came out of many possessed people, and many paralyzed and crippled people were cured. There was great joy in that city. A man named Simon used to practice magic in the city and astounded the people of Samaria, claiming to be someone great. All of them, from the least to the greatest, paid attention to him, saying, “This man is the ‘Power of God’ that is called ‘Great.'” They paid attention to him because he had astounded them by his magic for a long time, but once they began to believe Philip as he preached the good news about the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, men and women alike were baptized. Even Simon himself believed and, after being baptized, became devoted to Philip; and when he saw the signs and mighty deeds that were occurring, he was astounded (At 8, 5-13).

John the Baptist is born. The facts that accompany this birth are so prodigious as to see the presence of the Lord in this child. If God is already with him, what will he want to do with him tomorrow? The extraordinary nature of birth is the extraordinary nature of life.

When the time arrived for Elizabeth to have her child she gave birth to a son. Her neighbours and relatives heard that the Lord had shown his great mercy toward her, and they rejoiced with her. When they came on the eighth day to circumcise the child, they were going to call him Zechariah after his father, but his mother said in reply, “No. He will be called John.” But they answered her, “There is no one among your relatives who has this name.” So they made signs, asking his father what he wished him to be called. He asked for a tablet and wrote, “John is his name,” and all were amazed. Immediately his mouth was opened, his tongue freed, and he spoke blessing God. Then fear came upon all their neighbours, and all these matters were discussed throughout the hill country of Judea. All who heard these things took them to heart, saying, “What, then, will this child be?” For surely the hand of the Lord was with him. The child grew and became strong in spirit, and he was in the desert until the day of his manifestation to Israel.

The Christian is obliged to visibly show to every man all the power of the Holy Spirit that has been poured into his heart. Visibility is necessary for the Spirit to push other hearts to approach him so that through him they are given to Jesus.

Mother of God, Angels and Saints ensure that the Christian never turns the Spirit of the Lord off.