By Stephen Langsianmunga M. csc –
Readings: Is 49:1-6; Act 13:22-26; Lk 1:57-66, 80
Today, the Church celebrates the nativity of John the Baptist, who was the forerunner of Christ. Focusing on the solemnity of this day, I would reflect on the miracle of the birth of John the Baptist. He was born at the old age of his parents, when conception was no longer possible. But his miraculous birth clearly showed that everything is possible for God because God had chosen him to prepare for the way of the Lord.
Zechariah was freed of his muteness after the birth of his son. God revealed his greatness through the birth of John and visited and redeemed his people. Hence today, God’s salvation extends beyond the borders of Israel. This reminds us that everything is in God’s hands. He decides everything and everything is under his control including our lives and future. And so, we need to firmly believe in him alone. Yes, everything is possible in life only if we are at the side of the Lord. It is time for you and me to recall that God’s ways are not always our ways.
Therefore, we need to ask for grace from our Lord that we may be able to discern and understand God’s will in our lives. Like John the Baptist, each one of us is called to walk in the ways of the Lord (1st reading) to make God’s love known for all people and go beyond ourselves for the expansion of his mission. For that, today let us draw inspiration from John, who proclaimed fearlessly about the baptism of repentance, chose to live a life of simplicity than worldly comforts, prepared the way of the Lord courageously, and stood for justice and truth.