One thing that last year's film, "The Nativity Story," does well is set the political and social context of first century Palestine.
The region is abuzz with political and religious speculation. The political leaders put in place by the Roman Empire are extremely paranoid. They know that they are not welcomed. Insurrections take place constantly.
As I watched the film, I thought of 21st Century Iraq. It does not seem to be a matter of "if" insurgents will strike, but "when." And so the rulers deal swiftly and decisively with any threat, real or imagined.
Prophets were deemed threats to the political authorities at the time. Herod, whose father was supposedly killed by his own political operatives, was on the alert for any type of challenge to his authority. He didn't trust his own people, and he didn't trust any Jewish religious movement. When he heard of predictions of a "Messiah" to deliver Israel from Roman hands, he took this speculation very seriously.
Into this world John the Baptist is born. His father, Zecharaiah, loses his voice at John's conception. He doesn't speak again until the baby is circumcised and named. When John his named, the family gives him the name that God gave him rather than a family name. "Then fear came upon all their neighbors," we're told, "and all these matters were discussed throughout the hill country of Judea."
Why are people afraid? Perhaps because they know that this event will be reported to Herod, and it might draw his attention. John the Baptist was a focal point of devotion and fear from his birth. Those seeking God were thrilled and challenged by him; those fearing change were threatened by him.
Not many of us welcome change. I certainly don't. I even resist change in situations I don't like. I've stayed at parties I don't like. I've stayed in jobs I don't like. I've stayed in relationships that are no longer healthy. I do it because I like conflict even less than I like change. I don't want to upset anyone.
John the Baptist embodies God's invitation to us to change. Why would we refuse? Why would someone want to squelch this message? If you are responsible for the status quo, and attached to it, you might want to prevent others from changing. If you are comfortable with your life and your circumstances, you might want to resist change.
Elizabeth, John's mother, welcomed change when she became pregnant at an advanced age. Zechariah welcomed change. Others were afraid. Today's readings challenge us to examine our openness to a message of change. For the call to change, to continue our conversion to rich, rewarding life that God offers us, never ends.
Fortunately, the invitation never goes away. If we are engaged in that process, we do not need to be afraid of change, or afraid that others will change. We will be free to welcome change in our lives, jobs, relationships and communities. Bill Peatman writes from Napa.
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