At times I meet parents who are Catholic and come from a long tradition of Catholic belief and family tradition.  These parents have several children who have never been baptized or catechized in the Catholic faith that formed their parents.  The explanation that is offered as to why these children have never been baptized is that the parents wanted the children to have the freedom to make their own decision about the faith when they are old enough to make their own decisions.  They do not want to make decisions for their children about religion and they do not want to influence their children’s future decisions about their faith lives.  Somehow they believe that this is a good decision for their children and that they are being good parents in not forcing their children to follow a certain path in life.

    Today as we celebrate the birth of John the Baptist we might ask ourselves what might have happened if John’s parents, Elizabeth and Zechariah, had been such good parents and not had John circumcised according to Jewish custom and tradition and allowed him the freedom to make his own decisions about the course that his life would take.  Certainly it would have been a quieter home in Ein Karem as Zechariah would still be mute and unable to speak.  John would probably have a different name and might have spent a good deal of time trying to figure out who he was and what he wanted to do with his life, staying in his parents’ home and trying different ways of life to find one that suited him.  He probably would not have decided to go out and live in the desert and start baptizing people in preparation for the coming of the Messiah.  There would have been no herald to proclaim the coming of the Lord when Jesus began his ministry.  I am sure that God would have found a way to accomplish his purpose for salvation but perhaps John the Baptist would have never been a part of that plan.

    Thankfully, as we celebrate the Birth of John the Baptist, we don’t have to worry about that sad possibility.  Elizabeth and Zechariah were faithful to God’s calling and instruction in their lives and heeded the angel’s directions in dedicating their child to God’s purpose and plan for his life.  According to Jewish tradition they have John circumcised and teach him the holy scriptures and prophecies that point to him as the one who will “make a straight way for the Lord” and be a “light to the nations.”  They allow God’s hand to be upon him from the moment of his birth and for him to grow strong in the Lord until he is called upon to point the way to Jesus as the Messiah.  John receives a special name on the day of his circumcision and is raised in a very special way, consecrated to the Lord as one who is Nazir (no haircuts for John, no keg parties, no fraternities), so that he becomes a sharp-edged sword and a polished arrow.

    One of my favorite ministries as a priest is to baptize children into the Catholic faith and the family of God.  These children of God have a very special gift to offer to the Church.  As I baptize them I am always wondering how God will use them throughout their lives to glorify his name.  As I watch them grow I see the hand of God upon them as they learn their faith and they find joy in serving God within the Church as altar servers, core team members in the youth group and examples to other young people of a good and holy life.  As they begin their life in Christ I am always wondering and praying whether they will be future leaders in the Church, future saints and future disciples of Christ who will change the world.  They are a sign of hope for the future.  Often from a very young age you can see God working in their lives to teach them a way of life that will be of service to our Church and society for the future.  As they come to me and ask for God’s blessing over the years I am blessed by them and by their enthusiasm for a deeper life of faith.  It always reminds me of my own childhood and the blessings that my faith and relationship with God have been in helping me to grow in interior strength and that have helped me to become the priest that I am today.  I am grateful that their parents were faithful in choosing a life of faith for them in bringing them to the Church for baptism, catechism and formation in the faith, praying with them at home and worshipping with them on Sundays.

    We have a lot of wonderful and beautiful, faithful children in our parish today.  They are a blessing to our community and a sign of hope to us.  The people of Judea in John’s time talked about him and wondered what this beautiful child would be.  Take a moment today to notice our young people, to pray for them and to wonder what God has planned for their lives.  Encourage them to persevere in their faith and to listen for God’s calling in their lives.  It will brighten your day and give you a renewed sense of hope for the future.  Thank you parents for making the good decision of bringing your children to the Church, consecrating them to God and handing on to them the gift of faith.