Solemnity of the Nativity of Saint John the Baptist - Mass during the Day
The readings today speak of God’s messengers and how their lives pointed us in the direction of Jesus. For Isaiah andSt. John their stories echo many similar themes. For both, the call to do the Lord’s work was established in the womb. A theme today’s psalm repeats. For both, their lives were arrows aimed towards the salvation of the nations. For both, their toil, at least from the outside, seemed to have been in vain; yet they got their strength from the Lord. Thus they stayed on message and their voice was heard by many.
In Acts today, St. Paul describes John as the one who preached a baptism of repentance. Paul makes clear that John’s voice and actions were not to about himself. John’s life made clear that we were to “behold” the one coming after him. The one who followed would bring salvation.
Elizabeth and Zechariah must have felt that God’s will for them was that they we to remain barren. And yet as today’s Gospel illustrates, “the Lord had shown His great mercy toward her, and they rejoiced with her.” (Luke 1:58). God’s plan had been revealed to Zechariah. When he questioned the angel, Zechariah was made mute. Fast-forward nine months and eight days to the day when the child of Elizabeth and Zechariah is to be circumcised. On this holy day their child was to be named. The tradition was for the son to have the same name as his father, and yet Elizabeth told those present for the ritual that the child was to be named John. This patriarchal crowd looked to Zechariah for the true decision. Upon finding a tablet he wrote “John is his name.”
At that moment Zechariah’s voice was restored.
As you go about our day, look for opportunities that will allow your life and words to point to Jesus. Lord, we praise You for we are wonderfully made. You formed our inmost being and made us to give praise to You. Help us to recognize that you have created us for this definite purpose. It is when we acknowledge this mission with our life that we too will be given our voice. Like John the Baptist, help us to trust deeply in You so that our lives herald You. Amen!
-Michael Montgomery