Thursday 24 June

Birth of John the Baptist (S)

Isaiah 49:1-6; Ps 139; Acts 13:22-26;
Luke 1:57-66, 80:

Expect the unexpected

When God's messenger intervened unexpectedly, Zechariah was dumbstruck; gripped with fear. His imagination put limits on what God can do. His speech returned only after he had done what the angel asked of him. And in naming his son John, Zechariah also acknowledged God's grace. John means, ‘God is gracious.’ Sometimes when God intervenes unexpectedly in our lives, we too are startled and disinclined to believe – lost for words. If we, in the end, allow our imagination to expand, words will flow again, and we will praise God. Am I small-minded?