Speech an important part of son's life
While Zechariah could not speak, John the Baptist loudly proclaimed his faith
June 24, 2007 -- The Solemnity of the Nativity of Saint John the Baptist
By Fr. Michael Stubbs
We often link the inability to hear to the inability to speak. That accounts for the term, "deaf-mute." On the other hand, deaf people have developed an elaborate system of communication in their use of sign language. As long as 2,000 years ago, the rudimentary basis for such a system had already appeared. We see that in this Sunday's gospel reading for the Feast of the Nativity of St. John the Baptist, Luke 1:57-66, 80. "So they made signs, asking his father what he wished him to be called."
In this scene, Elizabeth has recently given birth to a son, despite her advanced age. The neighbors and relatives have gathered around his father Zechariah, to ask him what name he wants to give the infant. At the same time, they know that Zechariah cannot speak, ever since the angel appeared to him in the Temple of Jerusalem.
They assume that since Zechariah cannot speak, he also cannot hear. In a sense, we can say that Zechariah was not able to hear the angel's message predicting John's birth because he questioned it. He protests to the angel, "How shall I know this? For I am an old man, and my wife is advanced in years." Zechariah's inability to believe that he would become a father, that his wife Elizabeth would bear a son, results in his inability to speak.
We often interpret Zechariah's temporary muteness as a punishment for his challenge to the angel. That would appear strange, since Mary addresses a similar question to the angel when he announces to her that she will become a mother. "How can this be, since I have no relations with a man?" Despite her question, Mary receives no similar punishment.
The similarity of Mary's question to Zechariah's causes some to reevaluate the idea of muteness as punishment. After all, Elizabeth's pregnancy appears as a cause for rejoicing, a reward to Zechariah for his patience. The angel tells him, "And you will have joy and gladness." Instead of a punishment, some would suggest that Zechariah's muteness serves as a sign to confirm the angel's message. In a similar way, Mary also receives a sign to confirm the angel's message to her. He tells her that Elizabeth has also become pregnant. The amazing pregnancy of her elderly relative shows that Mary, even as a virgin, can also give birth to a child, "for nothing will be impossible for God."
In any event, Zechariah's temporary muteness serves to underscore the theme of speech,
which will play such an important role in John the Baptist's life. John will stand out as a speaker, lambasting the crowds with his fire and brimstone preaching. It is indeed ironic, that while John is gestating in the womb, his father is unable to utter a word.
Just as Zechariah's muteness echoes his disbelief, so also John's outspokenness loudly
proclaims his faith. It is that strong conviction which eventually will lead John to a martyr's death, which will witness to his faith even more eloquently than his words ever could.
(Fr. Stubbs, a priest of the Archdiocese of Kansas City, Kansas, has a master's degree in theology from Harvard.)
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