Posted by The WORD in other words (2015) by Fr Melencio Balay SVD – Christ the King Seminary, Quezon City
Solemnity of the Birth of John the Baptist – June 24
With the exception of Jesus and the Blessed Virgin Mary, Saint John the Baptist is the only saint whose birthday we celebrate. The importance of John’s nativity gave signal to the coming of the Messiah, our Lord Jesus Christ. John the Baptist is considered the last prophet before the coming of the Son of God. His birth came under “mysterious” circumstances — a barren wife gave birth to a child in her old age. Neighbors asked, “What, then, will this child be?” (Luke 1,66) They asked this question because it was clear that God was with him.
John the Baptist, whose name means “God is gracious,” consecrated his life to the Lord and became the precursor of the Messiah. He was the voice crying out in the wilderness, “Repent, for the Kingdom of God is at hand.” (Matthew 4,17) He prepared the way of the Lord and, like the other prophets, he was given the opportunity to offer his ultimate act of obedience to the will of the Father by shedding his blood.
God chose John to prepare the way for the coming of the Savior and arrange everything for him. His parents waited for his birth and they were filled with joy upon seeing him. He grew in righteousness “until the day of his manifestation to the people of Israel.”
Like John, our life is this world might be short but it will not be futile if we do the will of Go, if we do what is supposed to be God’s plan for us. Our mission is to be a witness to what is right and true, to bring joy to the world by living out the Gospel values. John did not wish to become powerful; humbling himself before the Lord, he declared, “He must increase, I must decrease.” (John 3,30)
To live is not to posses power, glory and riches, but to live life in joyful humility, simplicity, righteousness and love.
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