“Great in the sight of the Lord”
Zachary was stunned at the sight of the angel. Indeed, whenever some unknown figure appears to human sight, it disturbs the mind and puts hearts into dismay. That is why the angel, knowing what human nature is like, first brings comfort to its trouble with these words: “Do not be afraid, Zechariah.” He consoles his frightened soul and fills it with joy with this new message: “Your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you shall name him John. And you will have joy and gladness”… Still, today, John’s birth is the annunciation of a joyful message for all the world. And any man who… consents to have children and take on this responsibility should beseech God that his child be able to make a similar entrance into the world and this birth also bring him great joy.
It is written of John: “He will be great in the sight of the Lord.” These words reveal the greatness of John’s soul, the greatness that appears in God’s sight. But there is also a certain smallness in the soul. This is how I, at least, understand this passage of the gospel: “See that you do not despise one of these little ones” (Mt 18:10)… I am not asked not to despise the great because what is great cannot be despised; but I am told: “Do not despise one of these little ones”… “Little one” and “small” are not words chosen by chance.