Solemnity of the Nativity of Saint John the Baptist - Mass during the Day
Today is the feast of the birth of John the Baptist. John certainly plays an important part in announcing Jesus’ coming, but the readings today are reminders that God calls each of us by name and sends us out to be His Hands and Feet for the world around us.
Isaiah describes how the “Lord called me from birth, from my mother’s womb he gave me my name.” He goes on further to say that this “servant” will find strength in God, and will become a light to the nations, so “my salvation may reach to the ends of the earth.” Today’s gospel reading is about the birth and naming of John the Baptist. This remarkable story is about a person who is called, named by God, and then sent forth to prepare the way for Jesus. Through his life, John recognizes his talents and his mission, but he also understands the importance of humility in living out his call and his place in building the kingdom. John receives much attention for his preaching, but he knows that his purpose is to point to God, not himself. He says, “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.”
Celebrating the birth and life of John the Baptist is important, but sometimes we become so focused on the saints and their lives that we lose sight of how these stories have meaning for us as well. Our responsorial psalm beautifully describes how God has “truly formed my inmost being” and “my soul you knew full well.” Our loving God creates us, knows us, and calls us by name. He knows and loves each of us entirely- all of our strengths and our flaws. When God creates us, we are “wonderfully made,” and He desires for us to live our lives fully in this belief.
He names us in our mother’s womb and gives us all that we need to be sent forth. Each of us is given talents that we are called to nurture and share. The challenge is for us to recognize that all we have is given to us, and our purpose is not to seek glory and honor, but use all that we have to point to God. John the Baptist is a perfect example of a disciple. He lives his life calling others to God, and he knows that “he must decrease” as he shines the light on Jesus.
As we walk on this journey, the good news is that God does not leave us without His presence. We are told that He knows when we sit and stand, and with our ways He is familiar. He conceals us in the “shadow of his arm” as He holds us close to Him. How often do we stop and remember that God is with us as go into our daily lives? The more we are mindful of God’s presence with us, the easier we will be able go forth and be who God created us to be. God calls each person to be his or her true self- “your deepest identity, your unique blueprint—who you are in God and who God is in you.” (Fr. Richard Rohr) The more we can identify our true self, the more we can recognize God in our lives, and the more we can be His Hands and Feet in the world.
As we reflect upon the life of John the Baptist, may we take time to remember that we are also created in love, called to go forth, named as His own, and then sent forth to become a “light to the nations.” When we recognize our beginnings and praise God for we are “wonderfully made,” we give God the glory for who we are and all that we do as we build the kingdom of God.
Loving Father, You share Your love with us through Your Son, Jesus. With the grace of Your Spirit, help us to recognize that You created us and call us to go forth into the world to be Your presence. May we humbly know that all we have comes from you, and may we live our lives so others see You in us. We pray this through Christ, our LORD. Amen.
Marylynn Herchliine