Today's Gospel presents us with the birth of John, the prophet of Christ, and the amazement of onlookers:
«What shall this child be? And indeed the hand of the Lord was with him» (Lk 1:66).
In the life of Francis, from his birth, a visible sign of God's predilection was manifested on him and his mother Mona Pica.
The Sources make this clear:
"In fact, she was made to share, as a privilege, a certain resemblance to the ancient Saint Elizabeth, both by the name imposed on her son and also by the prophetic spirit.
When neighbours expressed their admiration for Francis' generosity of spirit and moral integrity, she would repeat almost divinely inspired:
«What do you think he will become, this son of mine? Know, that by his merits he will become a son of God».
In fact, this was also the opinion of others, who appreciated Francis already grown up for some of his very good inclinations.
He shunned anything that might sound offensive to anyone and, growing up with a gentle spirit, he did not appear to be a son of those who were called his parents.
Therefore the name of John is appropriate to the mission he then carried out, that of Francis to his fame, which soon spread everywhere after his full conversion to God.
Above the feast of any other saint, he held that of John the Baptist to be most solemn, whose distinguished name had imprinted in his soul a sign of arcane power.
Among those born of women there arose none greater than this, and none more perfect than this among the founders of religious orders. It is a coincidence worthy of note' (FF 583).
Feria proper of 23 December (Lk 1:57-66)
