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
Is 49:1-6
Acts 13:22-36
Lk 1:57-66,80
“…this message of salvation is meant for you.”
We often celebrate birthdays of the people around us. It is a celebration of joy and the fulfillment of certain milestones in our lives. Yet in the life of St John the Baptist, whose birthday we commemorate today, it speaks of a very different purpose.
St John the Baptist was to prepare the hearts of the people for the arrival of Jesus. This was certainly not an easy task during the time he was living in, because the Jews were under oppression by the Romans. He knew that his purpose in life was to point the way towards others and that in the process, he would pay the ultimate price of losing his life in doing so.
Perhaps today’s feast acts as a reminder to us that our life as a Christian is not an easy path. There will be suffering in our lives, but what we can do is to not walk away from our suffering but to instead embrace it with love. It seems very contradictory to do so, but it is what we expect. Today’s date is also near the summer solstice, which happened on 20 June — the longest day in the year. Indeed, the days will begin to gradually grow shorter and perhaps that is also how St John the Baptist’s life turned out. His life was a short one and it ended not long after Jesus’ ministry began.
Let us take a moment today to pray to St John the Baptist to grant us the strength to live a life which God has asked us to do and not what we desire.
(Today’s OXYGEN by Nicholas Chia)
Prayer: St John the Baptist, help us to have the courage to follow the will of God, just as you did.
Thanksgiving: We give thanks for all who remain steadfast in their faith amidst the daily struggles of life.
OXYGEN 
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