This is a feast that the Church has kept as a "Solemnity" and therefore it is more important than the normal Sunday readings. The Collect is worth reflection on before Mass so we know what we are praying for: "O God, who raised up Saint John the Baptist to make ready a nation fit for Christ the Lord, give your people, we pray, the grace of spiritual joys and direct the hearts of all the faithful into the way of salvation and peace."
When Mary arrived to visit Elizabeth, she was carrying Jesus and Elizabeth said that the infant that Elizabeth had been carrying for over six months, "leapt in her womb'. The Gospel for today's feast has the neighbors and relatives rejoicing with the birth and thinking that he would be called after his father, but Elizabeth said, "No, he will be called John." Since none of the relatives had that name, they made signs asking his father what he wished him to be called. Zechariah "asked for a tablet and wrote, 'John is his name,' and all were amazed. Immediately his mouth was opened, his tongue freed, and he spoke blessing God. . . "
It is good to us to remember that God does intervene in our lives and we need to listen to His voice and believe.
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