We are reminded of the vital nature of baptism by the birth of St. John
Reflections on the readings for the Solemnity of the Nativity of St. John the Baptist - Mass during the Day (June 24, 2018): IS 49:1-6; PS 139:1-3, 13-14-15; ACTS 13:22-26; LK 1:57-66, 80
MISSIO offers “Mission In Scripture” to nurture a missionary heart, providing reflections on the missionary themes in the readings of Sundays, Feast Days and Holy Days.
Six months from now we will rejoice in the nativity of Jesus Christ.
Today we honor the birth of His cousin John who would grow up to prepare the way for our Lord and Savior. “John heralded (Jesus’) 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 I am? I am not He. Behold one is coming after me; I am not worthy to unfasten the sandals of His feet’” (Acts 13:24-25).
John’s parents were elderly and had given up hope that they would have a child of their own. But they did. God had specially designed the role John would play in announcing the coming of His own Son from all eternity. God had planned that John would be born without stain of original sin and then spend his entire life in His service. John’s ministry of baptism at the Jordan River was a wake-up call to those looking for the Messiah. John also knew that Jesus of Nazareth, his cousin, was the one who would transform the world. Ultimately, John was murdered for his fidelity to the truth. Nevertheless, he had done all that our Father asked of him. That is all any of us can do.
Suggested missionary action: We can spend time considering our own birth and Baptism and that of loved ones by looking at family photos of newborns and christenings – and thinking about faith in our own life and home.
