Dear friends, today, we celebrate the birth of John the Baptist. It is more than a historical event. It is a powerful reminder of God’s faithfulness, purpose, and the mystery of divine timing.
John’s arrival was miraculous. Born to elderly parents, Zechariah and Elizabeth, who had long given up hope of having a child, his birth echoes the truth that nothing is impossible with God. It reminds us that even in moments of delay and silence, God is working behind the scenes, preparing something great.
John’s role was clear even before he was born: to prepare the way for the Lord. He was a voice crying out in the wilderness, calling people to repentance, pointing not to himself but to Jesus. His life was one of humility, purpose, and courage, a model for all believers. In a world hungry for meaning and identity, John teaches us that our greatest calling is to point others to Christ, not to ourselves.
His birth also teaches us about naming and identity. When Zechariah confirmed the name “John” against societal expectations, it showed a break from tradition, signaling a new chapter in salvation history. “John” means “God is gracious” and truly, the entire story is a proclamation of God’s grace. This new chapter is prophesied in the first reading of today. Isaiah says ” I shall give you as a light to the nations.” Though John was not “the light” as we see in the second reading, he bore witness to the light and that made him a light.
Dear friends, all of us created by God were created for a reason or purpose. The summary is to do the will of God as we see in the second reading. Like John the Baptist, we must learn to understand and accept this reality. We must learn not to claim the identity that we are not. This is where the fulfilled life in Christ is made manifest.
As we celebrate this great event today, we pray for the grace and courage to live a life of purpose: a life pleasing to God.
The Lord be with you.
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