GOSPEL REFLECTION, FRIDAY, 2ND WEEK IN ADVENT, 12 DECEMBER 2025

Luke 1:39-47.  The birth of John the Baptist, forerunner of the Lord, was announced by the Archangel Gabriel to his father Zechariah, a priest in the Temple, when he was praying in the Holy of Holies Zechariah was told that the child’s name would be John.  He and his wife Elizabeth were of advanced age, so the birth of a child to them would be a complete surprise!  This child was John the Baptist.  The Archangel Gabriel came to Mary some six months later to announce that she would bear a child by the Holy Spirit.  Joseph was told in a dream that the Child’s name was to be Jesus.

There is an intimate connection between  Jesus and John the Baptist since before they were born, a connection that would flourish even more as they grew together.  It is no accident that artistic scenes by Leonardo and others show Mary with the child Jesus in her lap and the child John the Baptist close nearby or even clinging to Mary.  In Christian awareness the relationship between the two children, and later as grown men was remarkably close.  Notably, Jesus’ ministry in Galilee began after John’s death, carrying on and expanding greatly the prophetic ministries that both were given by God.  John was the Forerunner who made the way clear for Jesus, and Jesus followed closely after him.

After Mary’s Annunciation she set out on a long journey of ninety miles or so to visit her kinswoman Elizabeth.  As the two met the child in Elizabeth’s womb ‘leapt’ in recognition of the Lord’s presence, even while they were still both yet to be born.

This season of Advent, in which we wait in hope and expectation, just as Elizabeth and Mary did, for the birth of their children.  They waited in hope for the Presence of the Lord, as we do so long as our attention is fastened on that.  So much of Advent is about the coming Presence of the Lord and our waiting for it in expectant hope.  Perhaps the question for us is this: does our soul within us leap in recognition of the Presence of the Lord Just as John the Baptist did in his mother’s womb?  The liturgies, scripture readings, and faithful prayer during Advent and Christmas are preparation of our hearts to do so.