Mass during the Day
Readings for the Solemnity of the Nativity of Saint John the Baptist[1][2]
Readings from the Jerusalem Bible
Commentary:
Reading 1 Is 49:1-6
In this passage, the beginning of the second of the four “Servant of the Lord” oracles, the Prophet Isaiah speaks of his own call to servant hood. Because this selection is used on the Solemnity of the Nativity of John the Baptist, we see in Isaiah’s words the calling to which John was beckoned.
Responsorial Psalm Ps 139:1b-3, 13-14ab, 14c-15
R. I praise you for I am wonderfully made.
In support of the miracle of creation, Psalm 139 reminds us that like us St. John was formed and created in the womb as a gift from God to Elizabeth, his mother. He came, known by God and God’s only Son.
Reading II Acts 13:22-26
St. Paul, speaking to Jews who were being called to deeper faith in Christ, reminds them that the prophecy that the Messiah would come from the lineage of King David had been fulfilled. He speaks of St. John the Baptist as herald of that event by recounting his (St. John’s) prophetic speech on the occasion of Jesus’ baptism by John in the Jordan.
Gospel Lk 1:57-66, 80
We hear the angel’s announcement to Zachariah fulfilled in St. Luke’s account of the birth of St. John the Baptist. The naming of the child “John” broke tradition and by acceding to the Archangel Gabriel’s announcement, we see the child set on a course directed by God and dedicated to him.
Reflection:
We wonder, out loud, today if John the Baptist understood his role in our salvation. He was, after all the pathfinder, the one who paved the way for the Lord. His life so closely paralleled that of Jesus it is remarkable that more people did not mistake him for the Messiah.
From before his birth he knew Jesus. Although no scripture records it, we can easily speculate that these cousins knew each other growing up. I mean if Margaret and Mary were as close as scripture implies, they must have spent time together and their sons must have been together from time to time as they grew. Although, given that Joseph took Jesus to Egypt right after he was born for a period of time, they were probably not best friends early on.
But did John know? Did he suspect that his cousin Jesus was the one, before they met at the Jordan that day Jesus went into the water? We will never know for sure. We do know that after Jesus began his public ministry, John sent his own disciples after Jesus. And that Jesus and John had parallel ministries, although John was focused on repentance while Jesus went much further with forgiveness.
But John was the voice. He was the one who cried out in the wilderness that the Kingdom of God was at hand. It was he who publicly announced the messiah. It was he who prefigured Christ, even in death. It is truly good that we celebrate his birth on this day.
And were does that birth take us? As we recall the events leading up to Johns birth, how his father Zechariah, a priest, was caused to be mute by the angel Gabriel for not believing, until the day of St. John’s birth and naming. We hear the words of his profession each morning as those who pray the Liturgy of the Hours unite with him in praising God. While his prayer is omitted in today’s Gospel, we feel his faith as he names his son John. We remember the life that son was to follow, one of obedience that led to his outspoken proclamation of Christ’s coming.
His example shines for us. Perhaps we are not able to be so bold as he was. Perhaps we cannot go out and call to those who have turned their backs to “Repent” and return to the Lord. But we are given his example to guide us as well as that of Jesus to whom we aspire. Let us be strengthened by the same Holy Spirit that filled him and, by our words and actions, be another voice, today, crying out in the wilderness.
Pax
[1] After Links Expire
[2] The picture used today is “Birth of St. John the Baptist” by Tintoretto, 1563
Readings for the Solemnity of the Nativity of Saint John the Baptist[1][2]
Readings from the Jerusalem Bible
Commentary:
Reading 1 Is 49:1-6
In this passage, the beginning of the second of the four “Servant of the Lord” oracles, the Prophet Isaiah speaks of his own call to servant hood. Because this selection is used on the Solemnity of the Nativity of John the Baptist, we see in Isaiah’s words the calling to which John was beckoned.
Responsorial Psalm Ps 139:1b-3, 13-14ab, 14c-15
R. I praise you for I am wonderfully made.
In support of the miracle of creation, Psalm 139 reminds us that like us St. John was formed and created in the womb as a gift from God to Elizabeth, his mother. He came, known by God and God’s only Son.
Reading II Acts 13:22-26
St. Paul, speaking to Jews who were being called to deeper faith in Christ, reminds them that the prophecy that the Messiah would come from the lineage of King David had been fulfilled. He speaks of St. John the Baptist as herald of that event by recounting his (St. John’s) prophetic speech on the occasion of Jesus’ baptism by John in the Jordan.
Gospel Lk 1:57-66, 80
We hear the angel’s announcement to Zachariah fulfilled in St. Luke’s account of the birth of St. John the Baptist. The naming of the child “John” broke tradition and by acceding to the Archangel Gabriel’s announcement, we see the child set on a course directed by God and dedicated to him.
Reflection:
We wonder, out loud, today if John the Baptist understood his role in our salvation. He was, after all the pathfinder, the one who paved the way for the Lord. His life so closely paralleled that of Jesus it is remarkable that more people did not mistake him for the Messiah.
From before his birth he knew Jesus. Although no scripture records it, we can easily speculate that these cousins knew each other growing up. I mean if Margaret and Mary were as close as scripture implies, they must have spent time together and their sons must have been together from time to time as they grew. Although, given that Joseph took Jesus to Egypt right after he was born for a period of time, they were probably not best friends early on.
But did John know? Did he suspect that his cousin Jesus was the one, before they met at the Jordan that day Jesus went into the water? We will never know for sure. We do know that after Jesus began his public ministry, John sent his own disciples after Jesus. And that Jesus and John had parallel ministries, although John was focused on repentance while Jesus went much further with forgiveness.
But John was the voice. He was the one who cried out in the wilderness that the Kingdom of God was at hand. It was he who publicly announced the messiah. It was he who prefigured Christ, even in death. It is truly good that we celebrate his birth on this day.
And were does that birth take us? As we recall the events leading up to Johns birth, how his father Zechariah, a priest, was caused to be mute by the angel Gabriel for not believing, until the day of St. John’s birth and naming. We hear the words of his profession each morning as those who pray the Liturgy of the Hours unite with him in praising God. While his prayer is omitted in today’s Gospel, we feel his faith as he names his son John. We remember the life that son was to follow, one of obedience that led to his outspoken proclamation of Christ’s coming.
His example shines for us. Perhaps we are not able to be so bold as he was. Perhaps we cannot go out and call to those who have turned their backs to “Repent” and return to the Lord. But we are given his example to guide us as well as that of Jesus to whom we aspire. Let us be strengthened by the same Holy Spirit that filled him and, by our words and actions, be another voice, today, crying out in the wilderness.
Pax
[1] After Links Expire
[2] The picture used today is “Birth of St. John the Baptist” by Tintoretto, 1563
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