Jun 24 – Solemnity of the Nativity of St. John the Baptist
John the Baptist (d.30) was the cousin of Jesus Christ. His father, Zachary, was a priest of the order of Abia whose job in the Temple was to burn incense; and of Elizabeth, a descendant of Aaron. As Zachary was ministering in the Temple, an angel brought him news that Elizabeth would bear a child filled with the Holy Spirit from the moment of his birth. Zachary doubted and was struck dumb until John’s birth.
John began his ministry as prophet around age 27, wearing a leather belt and a tunic of camel hair, living off locusts and wild honey, and preaching a message of repentance to the people of Jerusalem. He converted many, and prepared the way for the coming of Jesus. After baptizing Christ, he told his disciples to follow Jesus.
Imprisoned by King Herod, John the Baptist died a victim of the vengeance of a jealous woman; he was beheaded, and his head brought to her on a platter. St. Jerome says Herodias kept the head for a long time after, occasionally stabbing the tongue with her dagger because of what John had said in life.
- Patron Saint Index
Isa 49:1-6
Acts 13:22-26
Lk 1:57-66,80
He made me into a sharpened arrow, and concealed me in his quiver.
In the Avengers series, there’s a hero called Hawkeye, real name Clint Barton. He was a master marksman with a bow and arrow and had an arrow for just about everything in his quiver (albeit a high tech quiver). There was one to pierce through armour, one to lock on to a wall to help him climb, one that had an explosive tip, and even one that had a slow release of chemicals to melt metal doors.
In each one of us, there is a purpose that God has for our lives; and it can be different purposes for different occasions or seasons, as the Lord sees fit.
Our challenge is to be docile enough to recognise our strengths, gifts and talents to see which part we are to play in the divine blockbuster being screened.
The Bible has a whole host of characters — starting from Adam and Eve and culminating in Mary and the disciples. None could claim to be the messiah, even if there were those who thought they were. So many prophets, kings, political leaders and even a donkey who laid the foundations for the coming of Jesus Christ. All played their part in salvation history.
John the Baptist recognised his part, and famously proclaimed that there is one coming so much greater than he is that he is unfit to even undo his sandal strap.
Our Gospel today also tells us that he grew strong in the spirit and I think that there is a key in finding out our purpose and living it out — growing strong in the spirit. If the spirit is the giver of all gifts, then what better way to sharpen these gifts than with the spirit that gave them.
Recently, my wife and I went to pray for a friend who was terminally ill. At that moment while we were there praying, we were in that ministry to pray for a sister in need and it was beautiful; so much so that I was thankful to the family for allowing us to pray by her bedside.
I see us all as arrows on the Lord’s quiver. But are we docile and obedient to the movements of the spirit, ready to be used to make Christ known? To till the ground and wait for the master to do his thing.
There’s a reason why a whole ensemble of heroes were needed to save the earth multiple times, and likewise as church, it is going to take all of us playing our little parts, to bring Jesus to the ends of the earth.
(Today’s OXYGEN by Daryl De Payva)
Prayer: Father, help me to be humble, obedient and docile. Teach me your ways and let me hear your voice that I may be used by you to make you known.
Thanksgiving: I thank you Lord, for the gifts and talents you have given me for your greater glory. Gifts that work as extensions of your love here on earth.
OXYGEN 
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