When the time arrived for Elizabeth to have her child she gave birth to a son. Her neighbors 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 neighbors, 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.
REFLECTION
Naming your first child can be a family affair. My husband and I found out from an ultrasound that we were going to have a son. We began to look at our families and the names of our Fathers and Grandfathers. My husband's family carried on the name of David. My family carried the name of Sylvester and Charles Murphy. Our son was the first grandchild of our parents.
We didn't want to offend either side of our family. We decided a Biblical or Christian name should be the first name. So, his name would be David and his middle name would be Murphy. Both families seemed to be happy to meet their first grandson, David Murphy Barr.
The Jewish people take naming the firstborn son seriously. Naming a child traditionally is considered to be a prediction of the child's character. An example would be Samuel or Shemu'el which is the name of a prophet. This name means, "the one about whom God heard me." His name was the prayer of Samuel's mother. She couldn't have children, but she prayed to God for a child.
The ideals and identity of a Jewish child is linked to the given name. It helps keep the child connected to the heritage of his/her family. It also strengthens the family to the historical connections of the Jewish people.
Zachariah, the father of John the Baptist, during his service in the Temple, was told by the Angel Gabriel that his wife would bear him a son in her old age. The Angel said to name him, John. Zachariah asked how could his elderly wife bear a child. Insulted that he doubted God, the Archangel struck him dumb.
After the birth of his son, the friends of Zachariah ask what is his name. His wife Elizabeth said, "John." The people said, his name should be the same as his father. They asked Zachariah, "What will you name your son?"
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.
We pray the "Canticle of Zachariah" or the "Benedictus" every morning in the Liturgy of the Hours. It is the beautiful blessing and prophesy spoken by Zachariah in thanksgiving to God for His amazing gift of his son, John the Baptist.
Thank you, Mary Jo.