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
“…I am not the one you imagine me to be…”
When my son was about five, I started playing table tennis with him just for fun. What surprised me was how fast he could pick up the game. Before long, he had personal coaching sessions, joined his school team and entered selection trials to represent Singapore.
We see similar behaviour all around us.
Friends and colleagues speak about extensive tuition lessons and taking leave to sit with their children, often serving the multiple roles of tutor, cheerleader, and (sometimes) task-master.
We often hear about political jostling and positioning in the work environment as corporate participants vie for the top leadership and management positions.
As we read today’s Gospel, we learn how John’s name came to be and the mysterious restoration of Zechariah’s voice. Surely, John must have been blessed to become a leader of men and destined for greatness.
Yet, as we follow John’s life, we read that John is indeed the forerunner of our Lord, fulfilling the prophecy of “preparing the way for the Messiah.” In essence, John sacrifices all the accolades and potential accorded to him, choosing instead to serve Jesus.
In preparing for this reflection, I realised that we are similarly called to serve our Lord with an attitude much like John’s. From my youth, I have always strived to do my best and to achieve career and financial success, and I struggle to place our Lord at the centre of my life. Brothers and sisters, in St John, I believe I have found a saint that I can model.
(Today’s OXYGEN by Paul Wee)
Prayer : Father God, help us learn from St John the Baptist how to allow You to lead. Help us open our hearts to Your Spirit. Continue to guide us, oh Father.
Thanksgiving : Thank You for giving us St John the Baptist as a model for how to be strong and for how to serve You.
OXYGEN 
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