Jewish males were circumcised, named, and dedicated to God on the eighth day. Zachariah’s relatives and neighbours had gathered for the ceremony. Understandably, there was pressure from them to name the child after his father. They were shocked when Zechariah confirmed the name, John. Who will blame him? He asked Angel Gabriel a simple question, “How shall I know this?” and was struck dumb for nine months. He learnt his lesson not to joke with these matters. Who knows what cost he would pay if he dared change the name from John to Zachariah? So, he quickly wrote John, shocking everyone. To his surprise, his speech impediment vanished. The lesson: we mess with God’s plan – for us and for others – when we disobey him. And there are consequences. That we already know. What does not make sense is why we keep running afoul of God’s instructions and plans, even when we know and abhor the consequences. Shouldn’t we be a bit wiser? 

Prayer: Lord, may we truly detest all our sins because we dread the loss of heaven and the pains of hell, and most of all because they offend you, our God, whom we should love above all things.  Amen