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for June 24, 2024

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06-24-2024 Luke 1 V-5760 The Birth of John the Baptist

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The Book of Luke 1 v- 57 thru 60

57 When the time arrived for Elizabeth to have her child she gave birth to a son. 58 Her neighbors and relatives heard that the Lord had shown his great mercy toward her, and they rejoiced with her. 59 When they came on the eighth day to circumcise the child, they were going to call him Zechariah after his father, 60 but his mother said in reply, “No. He will be called John.”

In the Gospel of Luke, the naming of Elizabeth and Zechariah's son as "John" holds significant theological and prophetic importance. This choice reflects both divine intervention and the fulfillment of God's promises.

First, the angel Gabriel's announcement to Zechariah in Luke 1:13 is pivotal: "Do not be afraid, Zechariah; your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you are to call him John." This divine command underscores that the name "John," meaning "God is gracious," is not merely a personal preference but a predetermined plan within God's salvific history.

Elizabeth's insistence on the name John, as found in Luke 1:60, emphasizes her obedience to God's will: "But his mother spoke up and said, 'No! He is to be called John.'" Despite societal expectations and traditions, where the child would typically be named after a relative (Luke 1:61), Elizabeth adheres to the divine instruction. This act of faith highlights her recognition of the child's unique role in God's plan.

Moreover, when Zechariah confirms the name by writing, "His name is John" (Luke 1:63), his speech is miraculously restored. This event signifies the culmination of God's promise and the importance of divine obedience. Zechariah's regained ability to speak after acknowledging the name further reinforces the idea that John's identity is intricately tied to God's gracious act and plan for Salvation.

John's birth and naming also set the stage for his future mission as the forerunner to Jesus Christ. He is destined to prepare the way for the Lord, as Gabriel had foretold (Luke 1:17). Thus, the name John signifies more than a personal label—it marks the beginning of a new chapter in God's redemptive history, illustrating divine grace and the fulfillment of prophecy. Amen.

Join me as we pray our daily prayer of forgiveness. The Lord’s Prayer.

At the Savior's command and formed by divine teaching, we dare to say:

Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name; thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. Deliver us, Lord, we pray, from every evil, graciously grant peace in our days, that, by the help of your mercy, we may be always free from sin and safe from all distress, as we await the blessed hope and the coming of our Savior, Jesus Christ. For the kingdom, the power and the glory are yours now and for ever. Amen.

I am sorry Lord. I believe You died and rose for me. Please forgive me as I forgive others. I share You as my Lord and Savior seeking to live your Will in all things. Prayers for wife Toni and my mother Betty pray for our children especially our two oldest Alexandra & Allen Son in Law Mark Stern; Julian, Gabriel and Jeffrey and our grandchildren Oliver, Julian and Elliott. We pray for those we’ve said we’d pray for and those who’ve asked us to pray for them. We pray for the dying as we do each day Lord give them peace in their last breath. We pray for Holy Mother Church. Our prayers for our niece Brittany. In Jesus Precious Blood by His Name we pray. Amen.

I am a poet obedient to Christ,
Catholic Evangelist Thomas Cruz†Wiggins

Practice. Pray. Proclaim. ®
†Spirit led God inspired Christ fed†®
Ephesians 6:17-20

06-24-2024 Luke 1 v-5760

**The Naming of John the Baptist**

In the quiet town of Judah's land,

A promise fulfilled by heaven's hand.

Elizabeth's joy, her time had come,

To bear a son, God's chosen one.

Neighbors and kin with hearts so light,

Rejoiced with her, a wondrous sight.

Their laughter echoed through the air,

A gift from God beyond compare.

On the eighth day, the time was near,

To name the child they held so dear.

"Zechariah," they thought with love,

But she spoke a name from above.

"No, John," she said, with voice so clear,

A name ordained for all to hear.

In this small town, a light would dawn,

With the birth of a child ordained as John. Amen.

© Thomas Joe Cruz†Wiggins

June 24, 2024 @ 04:59 AM EST

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