| | It's painful being far from family these days. Far from friends. The only gringa in a city of a million.
But yesterday, during a sermon on Zechariah, the father of John the Baptist, I felt a wave of unexpected blessing.
I was reading the passage on John the Baptist's birth, and realized for the first time that John should have followed in the footsteps of his priestly father. His dad was pious and respected, chosen especially for sacred duties the year Johnny-boy was born.
When mute Zechariah wrote, to the neighbor's astonishment, "His name is John," he was doing more than straying from the Family Book of Baby Names. He was releasing his son from all family expectations. From a distinguished career, from taking a good wife, from living respectably. He was surrendering his only child to whatever God decided to call him to.
It must have been embarrassing for John's parents, and even a little painful at times. How Zechariah, with his ritual and calm temple traditions, must have cringed when John started screaming fire and brimstone and dunking people in the Jordan. Or did Zechariah jump into the river next to his son?
How Elizabeth must have cringed when John left his indoor bed and home-cooked meals for deserts and locusts. Did she sneak him falafels when the Biblical writers weren't looking?
What did they think when he was killed at the whim of a teenage go-go dancer?
They must have known it would be hard from the moment Gabriel scared the voice out of Zechariah. The miracle child, of course, never gets an easy life. Isaac, Samson, Samuel, Jesus himself. The anointed ones always get dropped directly into the drama.
While the parents somehow continue to trust the irresistible whisper of God in their child's life. Support them against the neighbors' and second cousins' astonishment. Or, like my parents did last year, join their crazy kid by singing carols in dark brothels on Christmas Eve.
God bless them.
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| | Posted 12/15/2008 3:09 PM - 50 Views - 6 eProps - 3 comments
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