Solemnity of the Nativity of Saint John the
Baptist - Mass during the Day
Lectionary: 587
Lectionary: 587
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 their 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 their 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 leapt 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."
Daily Quote from the early church fathers: Parallels between John and Jesus, by
Ephrem the Syrian (306-373 AD)
"The elderly Elizabeth gave birth to the last of
the prophets, and Mary, a young girl, to the Lord of the angels. The daughter
of Aaron gave birth to the voice in the desert (Isaiah 63:9), but the daughter
of David to the strong God of the earth. The barren one gave birth to him who
remits sins, but the Virgin gave birth to him who takes them away (John 1:29).
Elizabeth gave birth to him who reconciled people through repentance, but Mary
gave birth to him who purified the lands of uncleanness. The elder one lit a
lamp in the house of Jacob, his father, for this lamp itself was John (John
5:35), while the younger one lit the Sun of Justice (Malachi 4:2) for all the
nations. The angel announced to Zechariah, so that the slain one would proclaim
the crucified one and that the hated one would proclaim the envied one. He who
was to baptize with water would proclaim him who would baptize with fire and
with the Holy Spirit (Matthew 3:11). The light, which was not obscure, would
proclaim the Sun of Justice. The one filled with the Spirit would proclaim
concerning him who gives the Spirit. The priest calling with the trumpet would
proclaim concerning the one who is to come at the sound of the trumpet at the
end. The voice would proclaim concerning the Word, and the one who saw the dove
would proclaim concerning him upon whom the dove rested, like the lightning before
the thunder." (excerpt from COMMENTARY ON
TATIAN’S DIATESSARON 1.31)
Birth of Saint John the Baptist
June 24
Note: Where a Scripture text is underlined in the body of this discussion, it is recommended that the reader look up and read that passage.
Introduction
A cousin of Jesus, Saint John had the unique office of forerunner of the Messiah; an office which had been foretold in the Old Testament (Malachi 3:1). John began to fulfill this office in the desert of Judea, on the banks of the Jordan. Clothed in skins, reminiscent of Elijah, he announced to all men the obligation of washing away their sins with the tears of sincere penitence, and proclaimed the Messiah, who was about to make His appearance among them. He admonished all to charity and a reformation of their lives, and those who came to him in these dispositions he baptized in the river. The Jews practiced religious washings of the body as legal purifications, but no baptism before that of John had so great and mystical a significance. It chiefly represented the manner in which the souls of men must be cleansed from all sin to be made partakers of Christ’s spiritual kingdom, and it was an emblem of the interior effects of sincere repentance; a type of that sacrament of baptism which was to come with our Lord. So noteworthy was this rite in Saint John’s ministrations that it earned for him even in his own lifetime the signifying name of “the baptizer.”
As we read the story of John’s conception and birth, the motifs of the child of aged parents, the announcement of the birth by an angel, and the divinely chosen name echo the narratives of Abraham, Isaac, Samson and Samuel.
1st Reading - Isaiah 49:1-6
Our first reading for today is the beginning of the second suffering servant song of Isaiah. Although these songs are usually applied to the Messiah, here the depiction could easily also be that of the one who is to announce the coming of the Messiah.
49:1 Hear me, O coastlands, listen, O distant peoples. The LORD called me from birth,
God sets His chosen ones on the way of their vocation even before their birth. The narrative account of the annunciation of John’s birth (Vigil of the Birth of John the Baptist) states that this was true for John (Luke 1:15). It was also true for Jesus (Luke 1:31).
from my mother’s womb he gave me my name.
This was true for John (Luke 1:13) and Jesus (Luke 1:31).
2 He made of me a sharp-edged sword
Literally, “He made my mouth a sharp-edged sword” (Ephesians 6:17; Hebrews 5:12). He is given the gifts of a prophet, the ability to proclaim the word of God.
and concealed me in the shadow of his arm. He made me a polished arrow, in his quiver he hid me. 3 You are my servant, he said to me, Israel, through whom I show my glory.
This particular verse appears to be addressed not to an individual, but to the nation of Israel; the nation which became God’s servant, rather than His child, because of the sin of the golden calf. Prior to the golden calf, God had declared that “Israel is my first-born son” (Exodus 4:22) and as the first-born, Israel had the responsibility to give the proper example to all the other nations. Like the prodigal son, there is always hope that Israel will repent, return and be restored to the family.
4 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.
The servant learns to seek his reward with God, rather than gauging the effectiveness of his work through human appearance (see 1 Corinthians 4:1-5) or seeking the glory for himself
.
5 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! 6 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.
God encourages the servant by extending his mission “to the ends of the earth” (Genesis 12:3; Acts 1:8; 13:47).
2nd Reading - Acts 13:22-26
Our second reading for today comes from Saint Paul’s discourse in the synagogue of Antioch in Pisidia. Saint Paul is providing a survey of history which shows that Jesus is from the kingly line of David and is therefore the fulfillment of all the Jewish prophesies. In looking at the historical perspective, there are three distinct periods which can be described in the history of the world: (1) the period of Israel, which extends from creation to Saint John the Baptist; (2) the period of Jesus, which encompasses the three years of His public ministry (from John the Baptist to the ascension); and (3) the period of the Church, from the ascension until the end of time.
[In those days, Paul said:] 22 “[God] raised up David as their king; of him he testified, ‘I have found David, son of Jesse, a man after my own heart; he will carry out my every wish.’
David is a “type” of Jesus as well as His ancestor.
23 From this man’s descendants God, according to his promise, has brought to Israel a savior, Jesus.
This is the main proclamation to the Jews.
24 John heralded his coming by proclaiming a baptism of repentance to all the people of Israel; 25 and as John was completing his course,
This indicates the end of the period of Israel and the beginning of the period of Jesus.
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.’ 26 “My brothers, children of the family of Abraham, and those others among you who are God-fearing,
Gentiles sympathetic to Judaism
to us this word of salvation has been sent.”
Gospel - Luke 1:57-66, 80
This is Saint Luke’s account of the birth of John the Baptist; an account which closely parallels his account of the birth of Jesus (Luke 2:1-20).
57 When the time arrived for Elizabeth to have her child she gave birth to a son. 58 Her neighbors and relatives heard that the Lord had shown his great mercy toward her, and they rejoiced with her.
In the Bible, God’s omnipotence is most clearly revealed by the extent of His mercy.
59 When they came on the eighth day to circumcise the child,
Leviticus 12:3 requires circumcision on the eighth day. By being circumcised, the child bears the mark which indicates that they are part of the covenant people of God. The ceremony of circumcision was a climactic moment when God and his people are covenanted in the perfect fulfillment of the promises on God’s part and the perfect observance of the Law on Israel’s part.
they were going to call him Zechariah after his father,
Naming a boy after his father was a custom in Israel at this time.
60 but his mother said in reply, “No. He will be called John.” 61 But they answered her, “There is no one among your relatives who has this name.” 62 So they made signs, asking his father what he wished him to be called. 63 He asked for a tablet and wrote, “John is his name,” and all were amazed.
The name which had been given by the angel Gabriel in 1:13. The name means “Yahweh has shown favor,” a name which symbolizes the role of Saint John in the redemptive plans of God.
64 Immediately his mouth was opened, his tongue freed, and he spoke blessing God.
The canticle of Zechariah is given in verses 67-79, omitted in today’s reading.
65 Then fear came upon all their neighbors, and all these matters were discussed throughout the hill country of Judea. 66 All who heard these things took them to heart, saying, “What, then, will this child be?”
The people’s question prepares the reader for the future – a common stylistic device of Saint Luke.
For surely the hand of the Lord was with him. 80 The child grew and became strong in spirit, and he was in the desert until the day of his manifestation to Israel.
It is possible that as a young boy Saint John was entrusted to the Essenes at Qumran.
June 24
Note: Where a Scripture text is underlined in the body of this discussion, it is recommended that the reader look up and read that passage.
Introduction
A cousin of Jesus, Saint John had the unique office of forerunner of the Messiah; an office which had been foretold in the Old Testament (Malachi 3:1). John began to fulfill this office in the desert of Judea, on the banks of the Jordan. Clothed in skins, reminiscent of Elijah, he announced to all men the obligation of washing away their sins with the tears of sincere penitence, and proclaimed the Messiah, who was about to make His appearance among them. He admonished all to charity and a reformation of their lives, and those who came to him in these dispositions he baptized in the river. The Jews practiced religious washings of the body as legal purifications, but no baptism before that of John had so great and mystical a significance. It chiefly represented the manner in which the souls of men must be cleansed from all sin to be made partakers of Christ’s spiritual kingdom, and it was an emblem of the interior effects of sincere repentance; a type of that sacrament of baptism which was to come with our Lord. So noteworthy was this rite in Saint John’s ministrations that it earned for him even in his own lifetime the signifying name of “the baptizer.”
As we read the story of John’s conception and birth, the motifs of the child of aged parents, the announcement of the birth by an angel, and the divinely chosen name echo the narratives of Abraham, Isaac, Samson and Samuel.
1st Reading - Isaiah 49:1-6
Our first reading for today is the beginning of the second suffering servant song of Isaiah. Although these songs are usually applied to the Messiah, here the depiction could easily also be that of the one who is to announce the coming of the Messiah.
49:1 Hear me, O coastlands, listen, O distant peoples. The LORD called me from birth,
God sets His chosen ones on the way of their vocation even before their birth. The narrative account of the annunciation of John’s birth (Vigil of the Birth of John the Baptist) states that this was true for John (Luke 1:15). It was also true for Jesus (Luke 1:31).
from my mother’s womb he gave me my name.
This was true for John (Luke 1:13) and Jesus (Luke 1:31).
2 He made of me a sharp-edged sword
Literally, “He made my mouth a sharp-edged sword” (Ephesians 6:17; Hebrews 5:12). He is given the gifts of a prophet, the ability to proclaim the word of God.
and concealed me in the shadow of his arm. He made me a polished arrow, in his quiver he hid me. 3 You are my servant, he said to me, Israel, through whom I show my glory.
This particular verse appears to be addressed not to an individual, but to the nation of Israel; the nation which became God’s servant, rather than His child, because of the sin of the golden calf. Prior to the golden calf, God had declared that “Israel is my first-born son” (Exodus 4:22) and as the first-born, Israel had the responsibility to give the proper example to all the other nations. Like the prodigal son, there is always hope that Israel will repent, return and be restored to the family.
4 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.
The servant learns to seek his reward with God, rather than gauging the effectiveness of his work through human appearance (see 1 Corinthians 4:1-5) or seeking the glory for himself
.
5 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! 6 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.
God encourages the servant by extending his mission “to the ends of the earth” (Genesis 12:3; Acts 1:8; 13:47).
2nd Reading - Acts 13:22-26
Our second reading for today comes from Saint Paul’s discourse in the synagogue of Antioch in Pisidia. Saint Paul is providing a survey of history which shows that Jesus is from the kingly line of David and is therefore the fulfillment of all the Jewish prophesies. In looking at the historical perspective, there are three distinct periods which can be described in the history of the world: (1) the period of Israel, which extends from creation to Saint John the Baptist; (2) the period of Jesus, which encompasses the three years of His public ministry (from John the Baptist to the ascension); and (3) the period of the Church, from the ascension until the end of time.
[In those days, Paul said:] 22 “[God] raised up David as their king; of him he testified, ‘I have found David, son of Jesse, a man after my own heart; he will carry out my every wish.’
David is a “type” of Jesus as well as His ancestor.
23 From this man’s descendants God, according to his promise, has brought to Israel a savior, Jesus.
This is the main proclamation to the Jews.
24 John heralded his coming by proclaiming a baptism of repentance to all the people of Israel; 25 and as John was completing his course,
This indicates the end of the period of Israel and the beginning of the period of Jesus.
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.’ 26 “My brothers, children of the family of Abraham, and those others among you who are God-fearing,
Gentiles sympathetic to Judaism
to us this word of salvation has been sent.”
Gospel - Luke 1:57-66, 80
This is Saint Luke’s account of the birth of John the Baptist; an account which closely parallels his account of the birth of Jesus (Luke 2:1-20).
57 When the time arrived for Elizabeth to have her child she gave birth to a son. 58 Her neighbors and relatives heard that the Lord had shown his great mercy toward her, and they rejoiced with her.
In the Bible, God’s omnipotence is most clearly revealed by the extent of His mercy.
59 When they came on the eighth day to circumcise the child,
Leviticus 12:3 requires circumcision on the eighth day. By being circumcised, the child bears the mark which indicates that they are part of the covenant people of God. The ceremony of circumcision was a climactic moment when God and his people are covenanted in the perfect fulfillment of the promises on God’s part and the perfect observance of the Law on Israel’s part.
they were going to call him Zechariah after his father,
Naming a boy after his father was a custom in Israel at this time.
60 but his mother said in reply, “No. He will be called John.” 61 But they answered her, “There is no one among your relatives who has this name.” 62 So they made signs, asking his father what he wished him to be called. 63 He asked for a tablet and wrote, “John is his name,” and all were amazed.
The name which had been given by the angel Gabriel in 1:13. The name means “Yahweh has shown favor,” a name which symbolizes the role of Saint John in the redemptive plans of God.
64 Immediately his mouth was opened, his tongue freed, and he spoke blessing God.
The canticle of Zechariah is given in verses 67-79, omitted in today’s reading.
65 Then fear came upon all their neighbors, and all these matters were discussed throughout the hill country of Judea. 66 All who heard these things took them to heart, saying, “What, then, will this child be?”
The people’s question prepares the reader for the future – a common stylistic device of Saint Luke.
For surely the hand of the Lord was with him. 80 The child grew and became strong in spirit, and he was in the desert until the day of his manifestation to Israel.
It is possible that as a young boy Saint John was entrusted to the Essenes at Qumran.
St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church,
Picayune, MS http://www.scborromeo.org
SOLEMNITY OF
THE NATIVITY OF SAINT JOHN THE BAPTIST
SUNDAY, JUNE 24, LUKE 1:57-66, 80
(Isaiah 49:1-6; Psalm 139; Acts 13:22-26)
SUNDAY, 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 KNOW: John was a member of a priestly family. His mother Elizabeth was a descendant of the family of Aaron, the first priest of Israel, and Zechariah was a practicing Temple priest. While offering incense in the Temple, an angle of the Lord appeared to Zechariah; hover, he 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. 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. The gospel tells us that John's mission was to prepare the way for the Lord.
TO LOVE: Do I use my tongue to offer praise to God?
TO SERVE: St. John the Baptist, pray that I might be a courageous witness to God's kingdom.
NOTE: The Church commemorates the saints 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).
Sunday 24 June
2018
Week IV Psalter. The Nativity of St John The Baptist.
Isaiah 49:1-6. Psalm 138(139):1-3, 13-15. Acts 13:22-26.
Luke 1:57-66, 80.
I praise you, for I am wonderfully made—Psalm 138(139):1-3,
13-15.
‘I shall be honoured in the Lord’s eyes, and my God has
been my strength.’
The spirit of expectation is well and truly alive in today’s
Gospel. Elizabeth and Zechariah know they have been blessed by God through the
birth of their son John. Their faith and trust in God prevails even when they
are challenged by those around them.
Elizabeth and Zechariah’s story is one of faithfulness and
perseverance. Despite their disappointments and difficulties, they remain
faithful to God. Elizabeth, in becoming a mother in her later years, praises
God for the mercy she has been given. Zechariah immediately praises God when
his speech returns. As with Elizabeth and Zechariah, we are called to trust in
God’s faithful love and mercy.
The Nativity of Saint John the Baptist
Saint of the Day for June 24
 |
| St. John the Baptist | Alessandro Rosi |
Saint John the Baptist’s Story
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 was not worthy even to untie 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. Jesus 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 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,
when he was in prison he sent his disciples 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. John himself would share in the pattern of
messianic suffering, losing his life to the revenge of Herodias.
Reflection
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.
Saint John the Baptist is the Patron Saint of:
Baptism
LECTIO DIVINA: NATIVITY OF
SAINT JOHN THE BAPTIST
Lectio Divina:
Sunday, June 24, 2018
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
Savior of our souls. And may there be glory and honor 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)
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.
3. PONDERING THE WORD -
MEDITATIO
3.1 Key to the Reading
This passage of the Gospel forms part of
the account 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 by the Angel, the messenger of the
new creation.
In fact, the Annunciation inaugurates,
in a joyful way, the fulfillment 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 who is about to give birth,
but also reveals something of God’s plan. 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 as children” of God (Gal 4:4).
In the Gospel, Jesus 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 fulfillment 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 after 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, which 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. 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 lifestyle 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
- Do you or your community rejoice when
God shows great mercy on another in the community, or do you grumble or even
ignore it?
- John identifies himself as the friend
of the bridegroom. According to you, what is the meaning of this image?
- John the Baptist is the one who
prepares the way for the Lord. How is this relevant in 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 daybreak on high will 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 daybreak on high will 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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