“HONEY FROM THE ROCK”
Daily Reflections
Saturday, 24th June 2017.
Eleventh Week in Ordinary Time
Solemnity of the Nativity of St John the Baptist
Is 49: 1-6;
Ps 139: 1-3, 13-15;
Acts 13: 22-26;
Lk 1: 57-66, 80
GLORIOUS FORERUNNER OF THE SUN OF JUSTICE!
The Church does not celebrate the birthday of the saints. However, there is a notable exception besides the Nativity of Our Lord, to the birthdays of Blessed Mary and of St John the Baptist. For 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 also known as “Little Christmas”, since John the Baptist was the forerunner and baptizer of Christ.
John the Baptist’s life was fueled by one and only 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 (Lk 1:15, 41) by Christ himself, whom Mary had 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 goodwill to recognize and receive Christ when he came. People began to flock to the desert in order to listen to him and be baptized.
In the Gospel, We hear the story of Elizabeth, who became pregnant with John the Baptist by a miracle in her old age. When it was revealed to Zechariah by an angel, he failed to have faith in this promise and doubted. Thus he was struck mute until the moment that John was born. It was at that moment when Zechariah acted in fidelity to the revelation of God by naming his baby “John”, his tongue was loosened and he began to speak the praises of God.
This witness of Zechariah is an inspiration to all who seek to follow the will of God in their lives but have failed. There are many times when God speaks to us, we hear Him, but we fail to believe in what He says. We fail in fidelity to His promises. Sin has devastating consequences in our lives. God however permits us to suffer in our infidelity, so as to draw us back to fidelity to Him and change us like Zechariah did. A life of fidelity will enable us to ultimately sing the praises of our God.
Let us reflect today, upon the ways that we have not been faithful to God in our life. God will receive us back and transform our life if we return to Him. God is waiting and His mercy is abundant. Let us allow His mercy to fill you with a heart that blesses the goodness of God. Also, as John was called to be a messenger of the Kingdom of God, Jesus assigns all of us who are baptized into his Spirit to announce in word and deed the kingdom of justice and mercy.
Prayer: Lord, help me to see my past sins not so much in despair, but as reasons to return to You in greater fidelity. No matter how many times I have fallen, help me to get back up and to faithfully sing Your praises. Jesus, I trust in You. St John the Baptist, intrepid preacher of the truth, pray for us. Amen.