That is when Zachariah implored his Lord: "My Lord, grant me such a good child; You are the Hearer of the prayers." The angels called him when he was praying in the sanctuary: "God gives you good news of John; a believer in the word of God, honorable, moral, and a righteous prophet." He said, "How can I have a boy, when I am so old, and my wife is sterile?" He said, "God does whatever He wills." He said, "My Lord, give me a sign." He said, "Your sign is that you will not speak to the people for three days, except through signals. Commemorate your Lord frequently; and meditate night and day." (The Quran 3: 38-41)

We have read of John from Christian and Mandaean scripture and in the histories of Flavius Josephus.

Known in Islam, as by the Mandaeans, as Yahya, John is a prophet, the son of a prophet, and the companion of the prophet Jesus.

Jew, Christian, and Muslim claim the same God and many of the same stories. But each of us prefer our way of telling the story to that of the others.

Each of us bring to any story a particular perspective, it makes sense that we will have preferences in how a story is told and what to make of it.

But all of us may be enriched by listening to how others tell the story and knowing what meaning others derive.

Dear God, help me to listen carefully for your voice.