The Nativity of John the Baptist, Monday – 24th June 2024—Is 49, 1-6; Lk 1, 57-60.80
Being Part of God’s Plan
The readings of today present the unique role of John the Baptist, being called before his birth to do the will of God. For John that was the special role, as a person he was to prepare the way for the coming of the Messiah. John’s calling began before his conception in the womb of Elizabeth. The angel Gabriel announced his birth privately to his father, Zechariah and gave him a name, John. Biblically naming this way signifies special calling. Indeed, his special calling was to be precursor for Jesus, the Messiah.
The sermon by Paul, from the Acts of the Apostles (13,22-26), speaks of the privileged position of John the Baptist as the herald of the coming of the Messiah. Paul proclaims that John’s ministry of baptism and repentance was a preparation for the salvation brought by Jesus. He also emphasizes the recognition of John’s subservient role to Jesus, “I am not worthy to unfasten the sandals of His feet.” In this way, John prepared the people by challenging them to repent before the Messiah came. And when Christ came, John pointed Him out and took a back-seat role “He must increase and I must decrease”. Like him, we are called by God to play our role in God’s plan of salvation. Unlike John, we are not the greatest person born of a woman. Yet, we called to be least part in building up God’s kingdom on earth.
