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
“What will this child turn out to be?”
Standing before the child and the remarkable signs surrounding his birth, the people can only wonder: “What will this child turn out to be?” The neighbours and relatives have witnessed extraordinary events — Elizabeth’s unexpected joy, Zechariah’s restored speech, and a child given a name that no one anticipated. They cannot help but wonder what lies ahead.
I think many of us know what it is like to ask similar questions. What will become of this season? What is God doing in my life? Where is all of this leading? There have been moments when I wanted certainty about decisions, relationships, work, and the future. Instead of clear answers, God often provided only enough grace for the next step.
Looking back, I realise that His guidance was not absent simply because His plan was not obvious. The hand of the Lord was already at work long before I understood where He was leading.
That is what makes this passage so comforting. Before John’s mission was revealed, God had already claimed him. Before anyone understood his purpose, God was already shaping his life.
The same is true for us. We may not know what we are becoming. We may not understand why certain doors have opened or closed. We may not see how today’s struggles fit into tomorrow’s story. But our future does not depend on our ability to see the whole path. It depends on God’s hand which is already upon us.
The neighbours asked, “What will this child turn out to be?” Luke does not answer that question here. Instead, he gives us an answer to a better question: “Whose hand is upon this child?”
Because when the hand of the Lord is with someone, the future is no longer the most important thing. The presence of God is.
(Today’s OXYGEN by Stacey Fernandez)
Prayer: Lord, help us to trust Your hand at work in our lives, even when we cannot see the way ahead. Amen.
Thanksgiving: Lord, we thank You for guiding us with Your faithful hand every step of the way. Amen.
OXYGEN 
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