Solemnity of the Nativity of Saint John the Baptist - Vigil
Lectionary: 586
Lectionary: 586
In the days of King
Josiah, the word of the LORD came to me, saying:
Before I formed you in the womb I knew you,
before you were born I dedicated you,
a prophet to the nations I appointed you.
“Ah, Lord GOD!” I said,
“I know not how to speak; I am too young.”
But the LORD answered me,
Say not, “I am too young.”
To whomever I send you, you shall go;
whatever I command you, you shall speak.
Have no fear before them,
because I am with you to deliver you, says the LORD.
Then the LORD extended his hand and touched my mouth, saying,
See, I place my words in your mouth!
This day I set you
over nations and over kingdoms,
to root up and to tear down,
to destroy and to demolish,
to build and to plant.
Before I formed you in the womb I knew you,
before you were born I dedicated you,
a prophet to the nations I appointed you.
“Ah, Lord GOD!” I said,
“I know not how to speak; I am too young.”
But the LORD answered me,
Say not, “I am too young.”
To whomever I send you, you shall go;
whatever I command you, you shall speak.
Have no fear before them,
because I am with you to deliver you, says the LORD.
Then the LORD extended his hand and touched my mouth, saying,
See, I place my words in your mouth!
This day I set you
over nations and over kingdoms,
to root up and to tear down,
to destroy and to demolish,
to build and to plant.
Responsorial PsalmPS 71:1-2, 3-4A, 5-6AB, 15AB AND 17
R. (6) Since my mother’s womb, you have been my
strength.
In you, O LORD, I take refuge;
let me never be put to shame.
In your justice rescue me, and deliver me;
incline your ear to me, and save me.
R. Since my mother’s womb, you have been my strength.
Be my rock of refuge,
a stronghold to give me safety,
for you are my rock and my fortress.
O my God, rescue me from the hand of the wicked.
R. Since my mother’s womb, you have been my strength.
For you are my hope, O LORD;
my trust, O LORD, from my youth.
On you I depend from birth;
from my mother’s womb you are my strength.
R. Since my mother’s womb, you have been my strength.
My mouth shall declare your justice,
day by day your salvation.
O God, you have taught me from my youth,
and till the present I proclaim your wondrous deeds.
R. Since my mother’s womb, you have been my strength.
In you, O LORD, I take refuge;
let me never be put to shame.
In your justice rescue me, and deliver me;
incline your ear to me, and save me.
R. Since my mother’s womb, you have been my strength.
Be my rock of refuge,
a stronghold to give me safety,
for you are my rock and my fortress.
O my God, rescue me from the hand of the wicked.
R. Since my mother’s womb, you have been my strength.
For you are my hope, O LORD;
my trust, O LORD, from my youth.
On you I depend from birth;
from my mother’s womb you are my strength.
R. Since my mother’s womb, you have been my strength.
My mouth shall declare your justice,
day by day your salvation.
O God, you have taught me from my youth,
and till the present I proclaim your wondrous deeds.
R. Since my mother’s womb, you have been my strength.
Reading 21 PT 1:8-12
Beloved:
Although you have not seen Jesus Christ you love him;
even though you do not see him now yet believe in him,
you rejoice with an indescribable and glorious joy,
as you attain the goal of your faith, the salvation of your souls.
Concerning this salvation,
prophets who prophesied about the grace that was to be yours
searched and investigated it,
investigating the time and circumstances
that the Spirit of Christ within them indicated
when he testified in advance
to the sufferings destined for Christ
and the glories to follow them.
It was revealed to them that they were serving not themselves but you
with regard to the things that have now been announced to you
by those who preached the Good News to you
through the Holy Spirit sent from heaven,
things into which angels longed to look.
Although you have not seen Jesus Christ you love him;
even though you do not see him now yet believe in him,
you rejoice with an indescribable and glorious joy,
as you attain the goal of your faith, the salvation of your souls.
Concerning this salvation,
prophets who prophesied about the grace that was to be yours
searched and investigated it,
investigating the time and circumstances
that the Spirit of Christ within them indicated
when he testified in advance
to the sufferings destined for Christ
and the glories to follow them.
It was revealed to them that they were serving not themselves but you
with regard to the things that have now been announced to you
by those who preached the Good News to you
through the Holy Spirit sent from heaven,
things into which angels longed to look.
AlleluiaSEE JN 1:7; LK 1:17
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
He came to testify to the light,
to prepare a people fit for the Lord.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
He came to testify to the light,
to prepare a people fit for the Lord.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
GospelLK 1:5-17
In the days of
Herod, King of Judea,
there was a priest named Zechariah
of the priestly division of Abijah;
his wife was from the daughters of Aaron,
and her name was Elizabeth.
Both were righteous in the eyes of God,
observing all the commandments
and ordinances of the Lord blamelessly.
But they had no child, because Elizabeth was barren
and both were advanced in years.
Once when he was serving
as priest in his division’s turn before God,
according to the practice of the priestly service,
he was chosen by lot
to enter the sanctuary of the Lord to burn incense.
Then, when the whole assembly of the people was praying outside
at the hour of the incense offering,
the angel of the Lord appeared to him,
standing at the right of the altar of incense.
Zechariah was troubled by what he saw, and fear came upon him.
But the angel said to him, “Do not be afraid, Zechariah,
because your prayer has been heard.
Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son,
and you shall name him John.
And you will have joy and gladness,
and many will rejoice at his birth,
for he will be great in the sight of the Lord.
John will drink neither wine nor strong drink.
He will be filled with the Holy Spirit even from his mother’s womb,
and he will turn many of the children of Israel
to the Lord their God.
He will go before him in the spirit and power of Elijah
to turn their hearts toward their children
and the disobedient to the understanding of the righteous,
to prepare a people fit for the Lord.”
there was a priest named Zechariah
of the priestly division of Abijah;
his wife was from the daughters of Aaron,
and her name was Elizabeth.
Both were righteous in the eyes of God,
observing all the commandments
and ordinances of the Lord blamelessly.
But they had no child, because Elizabeth was barren
and both were advanced in years.
Once when he was serving
as priest in his division’s turn before God,
according to the practice of the priestly service,
he was chosen by lot
to enter the sanctuary of the Lord to burn incense.
Then, when the whole assembly of the people was praying outside
at the hour of the incense offering,
the angel of the Lord appeared to him,
standing at the right of the altar of incense.
Zechariah was troubled by what he saw, and fear came upon him.
But the angel said to him, “Do not be afraid, Zechariah,
because your prayer has been heard.
Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son,
and you shall name him John.
And you will have joy and gladness,
and many will rejoice at his birth,
for he will be great in the sight of the Lord.
John will drink neither wine nor strong drink.
He will be filled with the Holy Spirit even from his mother’s womb,
and he will turn many of the children of Israel
to the Lord their God.
He will go before him in the spirit and power of Elijah
to turn their hearts toward their children
and the disobedient to the understanding of the righteous,
to prepare a people fit for the Lord.”
Solemnity of the Nativity of Saint John the Baptist - Mass during
the Day
Lectionary: 587
Lectionary: 587
Reading 1IS 49:1-6
Hear me, O
coastlands,
listen, O distant peoples.
The LORD called me from birth,
from my mother’s womb he gave me my name.
He made of me a sharp-edged sword
and concealed me in the shadow of his arm.
He made me a polished arrow,
in his quiver he hid me.
You are my servant, he said to me,
Israel, through whom I show my glory.
Though I thought I had toiled in vain,
and for nothing, uselessly, spent my strength,
yet my reward is with the LORD,
my recompense is with my God.
For now the LORD has spoken
who formed me as his servant from the womb,
that Jacob may be brought back to him
and Israel gathered to him;
and I am made glorious in the sight of the LORD,
and my God is now my strength!
It is too little, he says, for you to be my servant,
to raise up the tribes of Jacob,
and restore the survivors of Israel;
I will make you a light to the nations,
that my salvation may reach to the ends of the earth.
listen, O distant peoples.
The LORD called me from birth,
from my mother’s womb he gave me my name.
He made of me a sharp-edged sword
and concealed me in the shadow of his arm.
He made me a polished arrow,
in his quiver he hid me.
You are my servant, he said to me,
Israel, through whom I show my glory.
Though I thought I had toiled in vain,
and for nothing, uselessly, spent my strength,
yet my reward is with the LORD,
my recompense is with my God.
For now the LORD has spoken
who formed me as his servant from the womb,
that Jacob may be brought back to him
and Israel gathered to him;
and I am made glorious in the sight of the LORD,
and my God is now my strength!
It is too little, he says, for you to be my servant,
to raise up the tribes of Jacob,
and restore the survivors of Israel;
I will make you a light to the nations,
that my salvation may reach to the ends of the earth.
Responsorial PsalmPS 139:1B-3, 13-14AB, 14C-15
R. (14) I praise you, for I am wonderfully made.
O LORD, you have probed me, you know me:
you know when I sit and when I stand;
you understand my thoughts from afar.
My journeys and my rest you scrutinize,
with all my ways you are familiar.
R. I praise you for I am wonderfully made.
Truly you have formed my inmost being;
you knit me in my mother’s womb.
I give you thanks that I am fearfully, wonderfully made;
wonderful are your works.
R. I praise you, for I am wonderfully made.
My soul also you knew full well;
nor was my frame unknown to you
When I was made in secret,
when I was fashioned in the depths of the earth.
R. I praise you, for I am wonderfully made.
O LORD, you have probed me, you know me:
you know when I sit and when I stand;
you understand my thoughts from afar.
My journeys and my rest you scrutinize,
with all my ways you are familiar.
R. I praise you for I am wonderfully made.
Truly you have formed my inmost being;
you knit me in my mother’s womb.
I give you thanks that I am fearfully, wonderfully made;
wonderful are your works.
R. I praise you, for I am wonderfully made.
My soul also you knew full well;
nor was my frame unknown to you
When I was made in secret,
when I was fashioned in the depths of the earth.
R. I praise you, for I am wonderfully made.
Reading 2ACTS 13:22-26
In those days, Paul
said:
“God raised up David as king;
of him God testified,
I have found David, son of Jesse, a man after my own heart;
he will carry out my every wish.
From this man’s descendants God, according to his promise,
has brought to Israel a savior, Jesus.
John heralded his coming by proclaiming a baptism of repentance
to all the people of Israel;
and as John was completing his course, he would say,
‘What do you suppose that I am? I am not he.
Behold, one is coming after me;
I am not worthy to unfasten the sandals of his feet.’
“My brothers, sons of the family of Abraham,
and those others among you who are God-fearing,
to us this word of salvation has been sent.”
“God raised up David as king;
of him God testified,
I have found David, son of Jesse, a man after my own heart;
he will carry out my every wish.
From this man’s descendants God, according to his promise,
has brought to Israel a savior, Jesus.
John heralded his coming by proclaiming a baptism of repentance
to all the people of Israel;
and as John was completing his course, he would say,
‘What do you suppose that I am? I am not he.
Behold, one is coming after me;
I am not worthy to unfasten the sandals of his feet.’
“My brothers, sons of the family of Abraham,
and those others among you who are God-fearing,
to us this word of salvation has been sent.”
AlleluiaSEE LK 1:76
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
You, child, will be called prophet of the Most High,
for you will go before the Lord to prepare his way.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
You, child, will be called prophet of the Most High,
for you will go before the Lord to prepare his way.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
GospelLK 1:57-66, 80
When the time
arrived for Elizabeth to have her child
she gave birth to a son.
Her neighbors and relatives heard
that the Lord had shown his great mercy toward her,
and they rejoiced with her.
When they came on the eighth day to circumcise the child,
they were going to call him Zechariah after his father,
but his mother said in reply,
“No. He will be called John.”
But they answered her,
“There is no one among your relatives who has this name.”
So they made signs, asking his father what he wished him to be called.
He 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.
Then fear came upon all their neighbors,
and all these matters were discussed
throughout the hill country of Judea.
All who heard these things took them to heart, saying,
“What, then, will this child be?”
For surely the hand of the Lord was with him.
The child grew and became strong in spirit,
and he was in the desert until the day
of his manifestation to Israel.
she gave birth to a son.
Her neighbors and relatives heard
that the Lord had shown his great mercy toward her,
and they rejoiced with her.
When they came on the eighth day to circumcise the child,
they were going to call him Zechariah after his father,
but his mother said in reply,
“No. He will be called John.”
But they answered her,
“There is no one among your relatives who has this name.”
So they made signs, asking his father what he wished him to be called.
He 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.
Then fear came upon all their neighbors,
and all these matters were discussed
throughout the hill country of Judea.
All who heard these things took them to heart, saying,
“What, then, will this child be?”
For surely the hand of the Lord was with him.
The child grew and became strong in spirit,
and he was in the desert until the day
of his manifestation to Israel.
Meditation: "The hand of the Lord was with him"
Birthdays are a special time to remember and give thanks for the
blessings that have come our way. Are you grateful for the ways that God has
worked in your life, even from your birth? In many churches of the East and
West the birth of John the Baptist is remembered on this day. The friends of
Zechariah and Elizabeth marveled at the wonderful way in which God blessed them
with a child. This child was destined by God for an important mission. The last
verses in the last book of the Old Testament, taken from the prophet Malachi,
speak of the Lord’s messenger, the prophet Elijah who will return to "turn
the hearts of fathers to their children and the hearts of children to their
fathers" (Malachi 4:6).
Birth and mission of John the Baptist
We see the beginning of the fulfillment of this word when the Angel Gabriel announced to Zechariah the marvelous birth and mission of John the Baptist (Luke 1:17). When this newly born child was about to be named, as customary on the eighth day, his relatives quibbled over what name to give him. (Don't relatives today often do the same when the time comes for naming a newborn?) This child, however has been named from above! And Elizabeth is firm in her faith and determined to see that God be glorified through this child. The name John means "the Lord is gracious". In the birth of John and in the birth of Jesus the Messiah we see the grace of God breaking forth into a world broken by sin and without hope. John’s miraculous birth shows the mercy and favor of God in preparing his people for the coming of its Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
We see the beginning of the fulfillment of this word when the Angel Gabriel announced to Zechariah the marvelous birth and mission of John the Baptist (Luke 1:17). When this newly born child was about to be named, as customary on the eighth day, his relatives quibbled over what name to give him. (Don't relatives today often do the same when the time comes for naming a newborn?) This child, however has been named from above! And Elizabeth is firm in her faith and determined to see that God be glorified through this child. The name John means "the Lord is gracious". In the birth of John and in the birth of Jesus the Messiah we see the grace of God breaking forth into a world broken by sin and without hope. John’s miraculous birth shows the mercy and favor of God in preparing his people for the coming of its Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
John the Baptist's life was fueled by one burning passion - to
point others to Jesus Christ and to the coming of God's kingdom. Scripture
tells us that John was filled with the Holy Spirit even from his mother's womb
(Luke 1:15, 41) by Christ himself, whom Mary had just conceived by the Holy
Spirit. When Mary visited her cousin Elizabeth, John lept in the womb of
Elizabeth as they were filled with the Holy Spirit (Luke 1:41). The fire of the
Spirit dwelt in John and made him the forerunner of the coming Messiah. John
was led by the Spirit into the wilderness prior to his ministry where he was
tested and grew in the word of God. John's clothing was reminiscent of the
prophet Elijah (see Kings 1:8).
John broke the prophetic silence of the previous centuries when
he began to speak the word of God to the people of Israel. His message was
similar to the message of the Old Testament prophets who chided the people of
God for their unfaithfulness and who tried to awaken true repentance in them.
Among a people unconcerned with the things of God, it was his work to awaken
their interest, unsettle them from their complacency, and arouse in them enough
good will to recognize and receive Christ when he came.
God's gracious gift to us
What is the significance of John the Baptist and his message for our lives? When God acts to save us he graciously fills us with his Holy Spirit and makes our faith come "alive" to his promises. Each and every day the Lord is ready to renew us in faith, hope, and love. Like John the Baptist, the Lord invites each of us to make our life a free-will offering to God. God wants to fill us with his glory all the days of our lives, from birth through death. Renew the offering of your life to God and give him thanks for his mercy and favor towards you.
What is the significance of John the Baptist and his message for our lives? When God acts to save us he graciously fills us with his Holy Spirit and makes our faith come "alive" to his promises. Each and every day the Lord is ready to renew us in faith, hope, and love. Like John the Baptist, the Lord invites each of us to make our life a free-will offering to God. God wants to fill us with his glory all the days of our lives, from birth through death. Renew the offering of your life to God and give him thanks for his mercy and favor towards you.
"Lord Jesus, you bring hope and salvation to a world lost
in sin, despair, and suffering. Let your grace refresh and restore your people
today in the hope and joy of your great victory over sin and death."
SOLEMNITY OF THE NATIVITY OF JOHN THE BAPTIST
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 24, LUKE 1:57-66, 80
(Isaiah 49:1-6; Psalm 139; Acts 13:22-26)
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 24, LUKE 1:57-66, 80
(Isaiah 49:1-6; Psalm 139; Acts 13:22-26)
KEY VERSE: "And he was in the desert until the day of his manifestation to Israel" (v 80).
TO READ: For centuries, the voice of the prophets had been silent. That silence was broken with the proclamation of John the Baptist, the last and greatest of the prophets, who stood at the threshold between the Old and New Testament. This new era was symbolized by the loosening of the tongue of Zechariah (John's father). While offering incense in the Temple, Zechariah had doubted the angel's announcement of the forthcoming birth of a son (Lk 1:20), and he became mute. On the day of John's circumcision (a rite incorporating the child as a member of the people of Israel, Gn 17:9-12), Zechariah obeyed the angel's command by naming his son John meaning "Yahweh is gracious." Zechariah regained his voice and sang praises to God for having "visited his people with redemption" (v 68). The people were amazed, wondering what would become of this favored child of God. The gospel tells us that John's mission was to prepare the way for the Lord.
TO REFLECT: Do I use my tongue to offer praise to God?
TO RESPOND: St. John the Baptist, pray that I might be a courageous witness to God's kingdom.
NOTE: The Nativity of John the Baptist
The Church's commemorations of the saints are celebrated on the date of their deaths, or “heavenly birthdays.” The Nativity of John the Baptist is one of two exceptions in that it is the commemoration of the birth of the saint rather than the day of his death. The other exception is the Virgin Mary. As to the date of the birth of John the Baptist, nothing can be said with certainty. The Gospel suggests that he was born about six months before Christ; but the year of his nativity is also uncertain due to variations in calendars. The Church celebrates the birth of John the Baptist at the time of the year (June 24) when the day begins to grow shorter after the summer solstice, whereas the Nativity of Christ occurs (December 25) when the day begins to grow longer after the winter solstice. This is an embodiment of the words spoken by the Baptist, after the beginning of Christ's preaching: "He must increase, but I must decrease" (John 3:30).
Wednesday 24 June 2015
WED 24TH. Birthday of John the Baptist.
Isaiah 49:1-6. I praise you, for I am wonderfully made — Ps 138(139):1-3, 13-15. Acts 13:22-26. Luke 1:57-66, 80.
Isaiah 49:1-6. I praise you, for I am wonderfully made — Ps 138(139):1-3, 13-15. Acts 13:22-26. Luke 1:57-66, 80.
John was the fruit of God’s kindness to Elizabeth and
all her neighbours rejoiced at his birth.
They were filled with awe
and wonder: ‘What will this child turn out to be?’ I too am blessed by the
Lord’s kindness. He has called me from my mother’s womb—for what? John was the
herald of the Lord, proclaiming hope and freedom for the people. Am I a prophet
of joy, leading my neighbour to Jesus the Saviour?
When I feel that I have
‘toiled in vain’ or ‘exhausted myself for nothing’ in my service of the Lord,
let me recall God’s presence and strength in my life. Lord, help me to realise
that it is only you who can make my words ‘a two-edged sword’ and my deeds ‘a
light to the nations’.
MINUTE MEDITATIONS
|
Two-Way Street
|
Evangelization is always a two-way street. We might think that
we’re the ones with the message, with the answers, with the Good News, and yet
time and time again we discover that we learn as much from the people we’re
with as we had when we began the conversation.
June
24
Solemnity of the Nativity of St. John the Baptist
Solemnity of the Nativity of St. John the Baptist
Jesus called John the greatest of all those who had preceded him:
“I tell you, among those born of women, no one is greater than John....” But
John would have agreed completely with what Jesus added: “[Y]et the least in
the kingdom of God is greater than he” (Luke 7:28).
John
spent his time in the desert, an ascetic. He began to announce the coming of
the Kingdom, and to call everyone to a fundamental reformation of life.
His
purpose was to prepare the way for Jesus. His Baptism, he said, was for
repentance. But One would come who would baptize with the Holy Spirit and fire.
John is not worthy even to carry his sandals. His attitude toward Jesus was:
“He must increase; I must decrease” (John 3:30).
John was
humbled to find among the crowd of sinners who came to be baptized the one whom
he already knew to be the Messiah. “I need to be baptized by you” (Matthew
3:14b). But Jesus insisted, “Allow it now, for thus it is fitting for us to
fulfill all righteousness” (Matthew 3:15b). Jesus, true and humble human as well
as eternal God, was eager to do what was required of any good Jew. John thus
publicly entered the community of those awaiting the Messiah. But making
himself part of that community, he made it truly messianic.
The
greatness of John, his pivotal place in the history of salvation, is seen in
the great emphasis Luke gives to the announcement of his birth and the event
itself—both made prominently parallel to the same occurrences in the life of
Jesus. John attracted countless people (“all Judea”) to the banks of the
Jordan, and it occurred to some people that he might be the Messiah. But he
constantly deferred to Jesus, even to sending away some of his followers to
become the first disciples of Jesus.
Perhaps
John’s idea of the coming of the Kingdom of God was not being perfectly
fulfilled in the public ministry of Jesus. For whatever reason, he sent his
disciples (when he was in prison) to ask Jesus if he was the Messiah. Jesus’
answer showed that the Messiah was to be a figure like that of the Suffering Servant
in Isaiah (chapters 49 through 53). John himself would share in the pattern of
messianic suffering, losing his life to the revenge of Herodias.
Comment:
John challenges us Christians to the fundamental attitude of Christianity—total dependence on the Father, in Christ. Except for the Mother of God, no one had a higher function in the unfolding of salvation. Yet the least in the kingdom, Jesus said, is greater than he, for the pure gift that the Father gives. The attractiveness as well as the austerity of John, his fierce courage in denouncing evil—all stem from his fundamental and total placing of his life within the will of God.
John challenges us Christians to the fundamental attitude of Christianity—total dependence on the Father, in Christ. Except for the Mother of God, no one had a higher function in the unfolding of salvation. Yet the least in the kingdom, Jesus said, is greater than he, for the pure gift that the Father gives. The attractiveness as well as the austerity of John, his fierce courage in denouncing evil—all stem from his fundamental and total placing of his life within the will of God.
Quote:
"And this is not something which was only true once, long ago in the past. It is always true, because the repentance which he preached always remains the way into the kingdom which he announced. He is not a figure that we can forget now that Jesus, the true light, has appeared. John is always relevant because he calls for a preparation which all men need to make. Hence every year there are four weeks in the life of the Church in which it listens to the voice of the Baptist. These are the weeks of Advent" (A New Catechism).
"And this is not something which was only true once, long ago in the past. It is always true, because the repentance which he preached always remains the way into the kingdom which he announced. He is not a figure that we can forget now that Jesus, the true light, has appeared. John is always relevant because he calls for a preparation which all men need to make. Hence every year there are four weeks in the life of the Church in which it listens to the voice of the Baptist. These are the weeks of Advent" (A New Catechism).
LECTIO DIVINA:
NATIVITY OF SAINT JOHN THE BAPTIST
Lectio:
Wednesday, June 24, 2015
Birth of the Precursor of the Lord
1.
LET US RECOLLECT OURSELVES IN PRAYER – STATIO
Prayer of Cardinal Mercier to the Holy Spirit
Oh God, who has instructed your faithful, enlightening their
hearts with the light of the Holy Spirit, grant us that in the same Spirit we
may have the desire to do good and to enjoy always his comfort.
May there be Glory, adoration, love, and blessing to You Eternal
Divine Spirit, Who has brought to earth for us the Saviour of our souls. And
may there be glory and honour to His most adorable Heart Who loves us with an
infinite love.
Oh Holy Spirit, soul of my soul, I adore You: enlighten me,
guide me, strengthen me, console me, teach me what I should do, give me your
orders.
I promise to submit myself to all that will happen to me,
allowed by You: I ask only that I may know Your Will.
2.
PRAYERFUL READING OF THE WORD - LECTIO
From the Gospel according to Luke (1, 57-66.80)
The time came for Elizabeth to have her child, and she gave
birth to a son; and when her neighbours and relations heard that the Lord had
lavished on her his faithful love, they shared her joy. Now it happened that on
the eighth day they came to circumcise the child; they were going to call him
Zechariah after his father, but his mother spoke up. 'No,' she said, 'he is to
be called John.' They said to her, 'But no one in your family has that name,'
and made signs to his father to find out what he wanted him called. The father
asked for a writing-tablet and wrote, 'His name is John.' And they were all
astonished. At that instant his power of speech returned and he spoke and
praised God. All their neighbours were filled with awe and the whole affair was
talked about throughout the hill country of Judaea. All those who heard of it
treasured it in their hearts. 'What will this child turn out to be?' they
wondered. And indeed the hand of the Lord was with him.
Meanwhile the child grew up and his spirit grew strong. And he
lived in the desert until the day he appeared openly to Israel.
3.
PONDERING THE WORD - MEDITATIO
3.1. Key to the Reading
This passage of the Gospel forms part of the so called accounts
of the infancy of Jesus. In a particular way this text follows the scene of the
Visitation of Mary “in the house of Zechariah” (Lk 1, 40) after the event of
the Annunciation of the Angel, the messenger of the new creation.
In fact, the Annunciation inaugurates in a joyful way the
fulfilment of God’s promise to His People (Lk 1, 26-38). The joy of the new
times, which filled Mary, now inundates the heart of Elizabeth. She rejoices
with the announcement brought by Mary (Lk 1, 41). Mary, on the other hand,
“magnifies the Lord” (Lk 1, 46) because He has worked great things in her, just
as He has worked great marvels for His people in need of salvation.
The expression “the time came” reminds us that this reality does
not only strike Elizabeth about to give birth, but reveals also something of
God’s project. In fact, Saint Paul tells us that when the completion of the
time came, God sent His Only Begotten Son “born of a woman, born a subject of
the Law, to redeem the subjects of the Law, so that we could receive adoption
of sons” of God (Gal 4, 4).
In the Gospel Jesus in fact, speaks about the completion of
times, especially in the Gospel of John. Two of these times are the wedding at
Cana (Jn 2, 1-12) and the agony on the cross where Jesus exclaims that “all is
fulfilled” (Jn 19, 30). In the fulfilment of the times Jesus inaugurates an era
of salvation. The birth of John the Baptist inaugurates this time of salvation.
In fact, at the arrival of the Messiah he exults and leaps in the womb of his
mother, Elizabeth (Lk 1, 44). Later on, he will define himself as the friend of
the bridegroom (Jesus) who exults and rejoices because of the event of the
wedding with the bride, the Church (Jn 3, 29).
The son will not be named as his father Zechariah, but John.
Zechariah reminds us that God does not forget His people. In fact, his name
means “God remembers”. His son will now be called “God remembers”, because
God’s promises were being fulfilled. The prophetic mission of John has to
indicate God’s mercy. In fact, he will be called Johanan, that is “God is
mercy”. This mercy is manifested in the visit to the People, precisely “as he
had promised by the mouth of his holy prophets of ancient times” (Lk 1, 67-70).
Thus, the name indicates the mission of the one about to be born. Zechariah
will write the name of his son on a tablet so that all could see with
admiration (Lk 1, 63). This tablet is the echo of another inscription, written
by Pilate to be fixed on the cross of Jesus. This inscription revealed the
identity of the mission of the Crucified: “Jesus, the Nazarene, King of the
Jews” (Jn 19, 19). This writing also provoked the admiration of those who were
in Jerusalem for the feast.
John is the precursor of Jesus in everything. Already since his
birth and childhood he points out to Christ. “Who will this child be? He is
“the voice which cries out in the desert” (Jn 1, 23), impelling all to prepare the
way of the Lord. He is not the Messiah (Jn 1, 20), but he indicates this with
his preaching and above all with his life style of asceticism in the desert.
Meanwhile the child grew up and his spirit grew strong. He lived in the desert
until the day he appeared openly to Israel”. (Lk 1, 80).
3.1.1. Questions to direct the meditation and the carrying out
- What has struck you in this passage and in the reflection?
- John identifies himself as the friend of the bridegroom.
According to you, what is the meaning of this image?
- John the Baptist has always been seen by the Church as its
type. He is the one who prepares the way for the Lord. Does this have some
relevance for our daily life?
4.
ORATIO
Let us bless the Lord together with Zechariah (Lk 1, 68-79)
Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel,
for he has visited his people, he has set them free,
and he has established for us a saving power
in the House of his servant David,
just as he proclaimed,
by the mouth of his holy prophets from ancient times,
that he would save us from our enemies
and from the hands of all those who hate us,
and show faithful love to our ancestors,
and so keep in mind his holy covenant.
This was the oath he swore to our father Abraham,
that he would grant us, free from fear,
to be delivered from the hands of our enemies,
to serve him in holiness and uprightness in his presence,
all our days.
And you, little child,
you shall be called Prophet of the Most High,
for you will go before the Lord to prepare a way for him,
to give his people knowledge of salvation
through the forgiveness of their sins,
because of the faithful love of our God
in which the rising Sun has come from on high to visit us,
to give light to those who live in darkness
and the shadow dark as death,
and to guide our feet into the way of peace.
for he has visited his people, he has set them free,
and he has established for us a saving power
in the House of his servant David,
just as he proclaimed,
by the mouth of his holy prophets from ancient times,
that he would save us from our enemies
and from the hands of all those who hate us,
and show faithful love to our ancestors,
and so keep in mind his holy covenant.
This was the oath he swore to our father Abraham,
that he would grant us, free from fear,
to be delivered from the hands of our enemies,
to serve him in holiness and uprightness in his presence,
all our days.
And you, little child,
you shall be called Prophet of the Most High,
for you will go before the Lord to prepare a way for him,
to give his people knowledge of salvation
through the forgiveness of their sins,
because of the faithful love of our God
in which the rising Sun has come from on high to visit us,
to give light to those who live in darkness
and the shadow dark as death,
and to guide our feet into the way of peace.
5.
CONTEMPLATIO
Let us all together adore the mercy and the goodness of God
repeating in silence:
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit.
As it was in the beginning is now and ever shall be,
world without end. Amen
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit.
As it was in the beginning is now and ever shall be,
world without end. Amen
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