“Our heavenly Father has had only one saint to represent him on earth. Hence he bestowed everything he could on that favored saint, and equipped him with all that he needed to be his worthy representative.” — St. Peter Julian Eymard
Good morning Lord.
I arrived to Ein Kerem yesterday, exactly four days after John was born. It’s very early in the morning so I decided to step out to talk to You, before everyone else wakes up.
I was welcomed with indescribable reverence and devotion by Elizabeth and Zacharias. I was taken aback by the fact that Zacharias could speak perfectly, since I had been told by my neighbors when they returned from Ein Kerem that Zacharias was mute.
Mary was very surprised to see me. She received me in modest and discreet jubilation. I believe that she was very happy to see me, but at the same time, I felt as if she was worried. I imagine that it was because she thought that I would ask her to return with me before she was ready to leave. I reassured her that I could stay as long as she felt she needed to be by Elizabeth’s side. I told her that I was in no hurry to get back, even though deep inside, I am worried that if I wait too long, my clients will find another carpenter, and I won’t have any work. But I trust that I am where I need to be, and I leave the rest in your hands, Lord.
When Mary first saw me, she knelt before me and asked for my blessing. She also asked for my pardon, for not having been by my side for nearly three months. I told her that there was nothing to pardon since she had asked for my permission, and I had granted it. Her duty was to serve her cousin Elizabeth, and she had acted accordingly.
In the afternoon, we had the opportunity to sit outside by ourselves. Mary told me that on the day that John was born, many relatives of Zacharias came to meet the newborn baby. While they were gathered, they began to speak about the arrangements for the circumcision of the child, which according to our Jewish law, would need to take place on the eighth day. Zacharias was still mute, so his relatives appealed by signs to Zacharias, who, being unable to speak, asked for a pen and declared his will by writing upon the tablet: “John is his name.” The relatives were all astonished because no one among them was called by that name, and they expected the baby to be called Zacharias, like his father. Everyone kept murmuring, “‘What then will this child turn out to be?’ For the hand of the Lord was certainly with him.” (1)
Mary then told me that after that, all of a sudden, Zacharias found himself freed from his affliction, and, to the astonishment and fear of all present, he began to speak:
“Blessed be the Lord God of Israel,
For He has visited us and accomplished redemption for His people,
And has raised up a horn of salvation for us
In the house of David His servant—
As He spoke by the mouth of His holy prophets from of old—
Salvation from our enemies,
And from the hand of all who hate us;
To show mercy toward our fathers,
And to remember His holy covenant,
The oath which He swore to Abraham our father,
To grant us that we, being rescued from the hand of our enemies,
Might serve Him without fear,
In holiness and righteousness before Him all our days.
And you, child, will be called the prophet of the Most High;
For you will go on before the Lord to prepare His ways;
To give to His people the knowledge of salvation
By the forgiveness of their sins,
Because of the tender mercy of our God,
With which the Sunrise from on high will visit us,
To shine upon those who sit in darkness and the shadow of death,
To guide our feet into the way of peace.” (2)
Mary said that the whole household of Zacharias was in awe at his words. I was too. I then asked Mary how it had come about that Zacharias had lost his voice. She explained that an angel had appeared to him while he was burning incense at the Temple, and told him that his wife, Elizabeth, would bear a son, and that he should name him John. The angel also told him that John would prepare the people for the Lord. But Zacharias did not believed the angel’s words, and thus the angel had decreed that he would be silent and unable to speak until the day when these things took place. That day was the day John was born, and thus, Zacharias had regained his speech.
I was astounded by the story, especially the part that John will prepare the people for the Lord. I know the scriptures, Lord. Does this mean that You will be coming to us soon?
I hear movement inside the house so I better go in. Thank You, Lord, for allowing me to reach Ein Kerem safely to be by Mary’s side until we return home to Nazareth.
Reflection:
Joseph was held in high veneration by Zacharias and Elizabeth for they had come to know his high dignity. What can I learn from Joseph’s example? What is his place in my life?
Copyright © 2024 Christy Romero. All rights reserved.
References:
- Luke 1:66
- Luke 1: 68-79
Resources from the following books are being used on this journey:
- The Mystical City of God: A Popular Abridgement of the Divine History and Live of the Virgin Mother of God by Venerable Mary of Agreda
- Consecration to St. Joseph by Fr. Donald H. Calloway
- Las Palabras Calladas: Diario de Maria de Nazaret by Pedro Miguel Lamet
All Bible references are from the New American Revised Edition Bible (NAREB) unless otherwise specified.
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