The Conception of the Honourable and Glorious Prophet, Forerunner and Baptist John
Galatians 4:22-31; Luke 1:5-25
Read Luke 1:5-25
Glory to Jesus Christ! Glory forever!
Today we praise God and marvel at the miracle of the conception of St. John the glorious Prophet, Forerunner and Baptist of the Lord. His parents Elizabeth and Zechari′ah are presented as faithful people who were walking in the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blamelessly. Similarly their relatives Joachim and Anna who also were not able to conceive a child until the Lord opened the womb.
Notice that St. Luke the Evangelist points out that St. John’s parents came from a pious, noble lineage: “Zechari′ah, of the division of Abi′jah; and he had a wife of the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elizabeth.” (Luke 1:5). St. Ambrose of Milan praises the parents saying, “St. John’s nobility was handed down not from his parents, but also from his ancestors—not exalted through worldly power but venerable through religious succession.” In other words, St. John inherited a blessing, a purification of grace imparted through God onto his lineage because of the cooperation and faithfulness of his ancestors. This is the blessing that parents and grandparents impart on the subsequent generation and it is important. It cannot be discounted and cannot be sometimes tangibly measured until many years after. Being faithful, obedient and cooperative with the Lord not only conveys a blessing for those around us, but also on those who come after us.