Dec 23 – Memorial for St. John of Kanty, presbyter
St. John of Kanty (1390-1473) was a Polish country lad. A brilliant student at the University of Krakow, Poland, he became a priest and professor of theology at the University of Krakow, where he was falsely accused and ousted by university rivals.
At the age of 41, he was assigned as parish priest at Olkusz, Bohemia. He took his position seriously and was terrified of responsibility, but did his best. For a long time, that wasn’t enough for his parishioners, but in the end he won their hearts. After several years in his parish, he returned to Krakow and taught Scripture for the rest of his life.
John was a serious, humble man, generous to a fault with the poor, sleeping little, eating no meat and little of anything else. He was a pilgrim to Jerusalem, hoping to be martyred by Turks. He made four pilgrimages to Rome, carrying his luggage on his back. When warned to look after his health, he pointed out that the early desert fathers lived long lives in conditions that had nothing to recommend them but the presence of God.
At the time of his death, John was so well loved that his veneration began immediately. For years, his doctoral gown was worn by graduates receiving advanced degrees at the University of Krakow. He was declared patron of Poland and Lithuania in 1737 by Pope Clement XII, 30 years before his final canonization.
- Patron Saint Index
Mal 3:1-4,23-24
Lk 1:57-66
Now on the eighth day they came to circumcise the child; they were going to call him Zechariah after his father, but his mother spoke up. ‘No,’ she said, ‘he is to be called John.’ They said to her, ‘But no one in your family has that name’, and made signs to his father to find out what he wanted him called. The father asked for a writing-tablet and wrote, ‘His name is John.’ And they were all astonished.
What’s in a name? Why did Elizabeth and Zechariah insist on naming their son ‘John’? And why was it so scandalous to give him that name?
There is a much deeper meaning in this event than meets the eye. As with anything in life, particularly when reading the Bible, we need to understand the situation and read everything within the context at that time to truly appreciate what is being revealed to us.
So, bear with me, as I paint the backdrop of the time and culture when John the Baptist was born. At that time, it was common practice to have family, friends, neighbours within the community to gather for the newborn’s circumcision (a sign of the covenant that God made with Abraham). Also, it was customary at that time, to name the child after a family member — usually the father or someone within the family that they specifically wanted to honour.
Before we move on, remember that it was the angel Gabriel that came to Zechariah and foretold of the pregnancy and the name of the child. Zechariah doubted the angel and the message from God; therefore, he became mute until the promise, and all that was foretold had been fulfilled.
With this background in mind, we can now delve into the meaning of these events a little deeper. Starting with the naming process and common practice at that time, Zechariah and Elizabeth took a great deviation from the norm. Not naming the child after a family member, probably seemed like a great affront to the family and friends. What they probably did not know, was that the parents did not choose the name of ‘John’; it was given by God, through the angel Gabriel. Why would God trouble Himself with such minor detail such as a name? By now, you probsbly know that God never does anything without a good reason. This time, it was no different. God wanted to set the child apart. Apart from the world, apart from all the customary cultures, and set him aside for Himself. John does not belong to the world, but belongs to God, who poured His grace into him, readying him for the mission ahead. John is foretold by the prophet Isaiah, the one who is preparing the way of the Lord for all people. That is such an important mission, a role of precursor and forerunner for the Lord, preaching the need for repentance and inner conversion. Although John’s baptism does not confer sacramental grace like Christ’s baptism, it is still impossible to be in that role or mission if one belongs to the world. That is why John was set apart, that is why his name matters. The name ‘John’ means God is gracious or graced by God.
So it is with us as well. God knows us, even before we came to be. He knows our hearts, our minds, our weaknesses, our brokenness; yet, He loves us. He has a unique mission for each one of us. So while we might not be a precursor like John, the mission God gives each of us is no less important in His master plan. Most importantly, He calls each of us by name.
(Today’s OXYGEN by Winnie Kung)
Prayer: Our most merciful Lord, as we wait for Your coming, anticipating Your birth in the silence of our hearts, may we prepare well, to receive You and for our mission.
Thanksgiving: Heavenly Father, thank you for Your love and mercy. For calling us by name, to include us in Your family, the Church.
OXYGEN 
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