Birth of John the Baptist Read:  Is 49: 1-6   Acts 13: 22-26   Lk 1: 57-66, 80  (Pss Prop)

DAILY PRAYER

“’No. He will be called John.’  But they answered her, ‘There is no one among your relatives who has this name.’  So they made signs, asking his father what he wished him to be called. He asked for a tablet and wrote, ‘John is his name,’ and all were amazed. Immediately his mouth was opened, his tongue freed, and he spoke blessing God.”  (Lk 1:60-64)

Even when the two were still in the wombs of their mothers, Mary visited Elizabeth, who greeted Mary with the exclamation: “And how does this happen to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? For at the moment the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the infant in my womb leaped for joy.”  (Lk 1:43-44)

When his time had come, John presented Jesus as the long-awaited Messiah. He called on the people to repent of their sins and to do penance.

The first disciples were loyal followers of John the Baptist.  It was John who persuaded them to seek Jesus out: “John was there again with two of his disciples, and as he watched Jesus walk by, he said, ‘Behold, the Lamb of God.’ The two disciples heard what he said and followed Jesus.” (Jn 1:35-37)

John the Baptist is a model of piety, strength, and courage in the proclamation of the Lord’s message. The Baptist still calls the wayward for a conversion of the heart to Christ.

“You, child, will be called prophet of the Most High, for you will go before the Lord to prepare his way, to give his people knowledge of salvation through the forgiveness of their sins.”  (Lk 1:76-77)

Reflection and commentary

Psalm 84:12 “The LORD withholds no good thing from those who walk without reproach.”

OUR PRAYER CONTINUES