Elizabeth and Zacharias were childless when the Angel Gabriel appeared to Zacharias and told him that they would have a very special son who would be "Elijah" and prepare the way for the coming Messiah.
When he questioned the angel, he became mute, unable to speak until after the birth of his son whom he named "John" as the angel had directed him. Then his mouth was opened and this is a portion of his prayer.
Both the angel and Zacharias are testifying that John is preparing the way for the Messiah. I wonder if those who were present understood what he was saying.
I'm not sure that once John appeared preaching a baptism of repentance that people truly understood that he was preparing the way, even though he was pretty clear that while he was not the Messiah, he was preparing the way.
We are not Messiahs either but we are called to prepare the way for minds and hearts to be open to Jesus today. It seems that this call to discipleship and the theme of justice are two of the main subjects of importance in the Gospels.
How else are people to know of the gift of salvation?
Jesus sent out his apostles and then more disciples to bring the Good News of the Kingdom to the people of his time and then, of course, he sends us.
John was called by Jesus a prophet, and more than a prophet, that no man born of woman was greater than John. But he goes on to say that the one who is least in the kingdom of God is greater than John.
He is referring to all those who believed in his preaching, repented of their sins and were baptized by him. He is also referring to us who believe in both John's message of repentance, and also Jesus message of living a life centered on love and justice.
