The image below, which is in the public domain, shows the scene graphically: the newborn baby, John, is in the hands of the midwife; his mother, Elizabeth, is turned to her husband, who is seated beside her, writing the name of his son: ‘His name is John’. By these words his tongue is released and he is able once again to speak.

St John the Baptist, also known as the ‘Forerunner’ or ‘Herald’ of the Lord, grows into a towering figure who will meet the death of a martyr because of his stand for truth.

May we also speak truth, and so draw closer to the One who is ‘the Way, the Truth and the Life’ (John 14:6); and may God bless you this day.