The Birth and Circumcision of John

Greetings on this the Tuesday of the Fourth Week of Advent
Readings: Malachi 3:1-4, 23-24; Psalm 25:4-5ab, 8-9, 10 and 14; Luke 1:57-66

Summary

Today the sacred text of the Mass concerns with the birth and circumcision of John.

The Covenant of Abraham

This is the covenant between me and you and your descendants after you that you must keep: every male among you shall be circumcised. Circumcise the flesh of your foreskin. That will be the sign of the covenant between me and you. God said to Abraham: For your part, you and your descendants after you must keep my covenant throughout the ages. (Gen 17:10-11, 9).

The Covenant of Abraham throughout the ages remained a cornerstone sign of agreement between the divine and man. Circumcision for Christians is no longer theologically needed (St Paul does extensive discourse on the topic). But the Covenant love between the Lord and humanity remains forever. The Sign changed, the promise never changes.

The Signs of the Heart

Lo, I will send you Elijah, the prophet, Before the day of the LORD comes, the great and terrible day, To turn the hearts of the fathers to their children, and the hearts of the children to their fathers, Lest I come and strike the land with doom (Mal 3:23-24).

Friendship as the Context of Covenant

All the paths of the LORD are kindness and constancy toward those who keep his covenant and his decrees. The friendship of the LORD is with those who fear him, and his covenant, for their instruction (Ps 25:10,14).

Reflection

When they came on the eighth day to circumcise the child, they were going to call him Zechariah after his father.. 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 (Lk 1:59,63-64).

Personal Reflection

Traditions, Signs and Symbols can never have the last word. The instructions of divine love must be the highest calling and greater guidance on what we should do. John should have been named Zechariah after his father by tradition. John was his given name by divine instruction.

John the Baptist and Jesus were both circumcised as appropriate for the threshold between the old and new covenant. And likewise the cup after they had eaten, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which will be shed for you (Lk 22:20).

What old things hold you down?

What traditions no longer uplift you?

It’s time to embrace the New Covenant in Christ.

Sacred Readings full text: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/122325.cfm

Peace be with you,
Deacon Gerry

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Catechetical Note
In Sacred Scripture, covenants between God and humanity are often marked by visible signs. Circumcision was the sign of the covenant given to Abraham, a physical mark reminding God’s people of their belonging to Him. With the coming of Christ, the covenant is not abolished but fulfilled and transformed. As St. Paul teaches, the outward sign gives way to an inward one: a circumcision of the heart accomplished through faith, baptism, and life in the Spirit. John the Baptist, circumcised according to the Law, stands at the threshold between the Old and New Covenants, pointing beyond the sign to its fulfillment. In Christ, the ultimate sign of the covenant is no longer in the flesh but in His Body and Blood, given for the life of the world. The promise of God remains unchanged; only the way it is sealed has been made complete.