GLORIOUS FORERUNNER OF THE SUN OF JUSTICE! ~ CookingFood.Org

“HONEY FROM THE ROCK”

Friday, 24th June 2016,

Twelfth Week of Ordinary Time

Solemnity of the Nativity of St John the Baptist

Is 49: 1-6;

Ps 138: 1-3, 13-15;

Acts 13: 22-26;

Lk 1: 57-66, 80

GLORIOUS FORERUNNER OF THE SUN OF JUSTICE!

The Church actually does not celebrate the birthday of the saints. But there is notable exception, besides the Nativity of Our Lord - the birthdays of Blessed Mary and of St John the Baptist. Precisely because Mary, already in the first moment of her existence, was free from original sin and John was cleansed of original sin in the womb of his mother. Today is known as “Little Christmas”, because John the Baptist was the forerunner and baptizer of Christ. John the Baptist’s life was fueled by one burning passion – to point Jesus Christ to others 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 (Lk 1: 15, 41) by Christ himself, whom Mary had just conceived by the Holy Spirit. The fire of the Spirit dwelt in John and made him the forerunner of the coming Messiah. John broke the prophetic silence of the previous centuries when he began to speak the Word of God to the people of Israel. 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. People began to flock to the desert in order to listen to him and be baptized.

John was called from his conception to be a messenger of the Kingdom of God. Similarly, Jesus assigns all of us who are baptized into his Spirit and into Discipleship of him, the role of Prophet - that is, one who announces in word and deed the kingdom of justice and mercy. From the moment of our Baptism (conception into God’s life) we, like John, have a task in the Father’s plan. Not to just meekly follow Jesus, but to announce the day of salvation that we confidently hope, in Jesus, will be fulfilled.

Prayer: St John the Baptist, intrepid preacher of the truth, pray for us. Amen.