Homily (Reflection) for the Solemnity
of the Birth of Saint John the Baptist (24th June, 2016) on the
Gospel and the solemnity
Is 49:1-6;
Ps 138:1-3.13-15. (R. v. 14);Acts 13:22-26;
Lk 1:57-66.80.
We celebrate the birth of the voice that cried in the
wilderness, ‘Make straight the way of the Lord’ cf. Jn 1:23. The gospel described his parents thus,
...there was a priest named Zechariah, who belonged to
the priestly order of Abijah. His wife was a descendant of Aaron, and her name
was Elizabeth. Both of them were righteous before God, living blamelessly
according to all the commandments and regulations of the Lord. But they had no
children, because Elizabeth was barren, and both were getting on in years (Lk 1:5-7).
Topic: Where many fail.
The message of angel Gabriel to Zechariah about the birth of
John the Baptist reads in part, “Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and
you will name him John. You will have joy and gladness, and many will rejoice
at his birth” (Lk 1:13-14).
In today’s gospel, people who rejoiced at his birth
constituted an obstacle. With every good intention, they wanted the child to be
named after his father, Zechariah in line with their custom. But Elizabeth and Zechariah
followed God’s counsel which stands for ever, cf. Ps 33:11.
John came to prepare the way for the Lord, cf. Is 40:3; Mal 3:1; Matt 3:3. He never deviated
from the call, cf. Matt 3:11; Jn 1:19-23;
Acts 13:24-25; 19:4. When it was reported to him that Jesus was baptising and
that all were going to Him, he replied, “He must increase, but I must decrease”
(cf. Jn 3:30).
We rejoice with Zechariah and Elizabeth today at the birth of
John because they waited for God’s time to a point all considered hopeless. They
never deviated from God’s will. Because the people were in expectation, it would
have been very easy for John to steal the stage but he did not, cf. Lk 3:15. Yet Jesus described him as the
greatest of all born of women, cf. Lk
7:28.
It is not only that the gate to true success is narrow and
the way hard, but often the whole thing looks so stupid. Hence, many do not find
it, cf. Matt 7:14. Never forget that
“the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger
than men” (1Cor 1:25). Never leave God’s
will for any other will. And be the best of the person God created in you. Finally,
“...in everything God works for good with those who love him” (Rom 8:28).
Bible Reading: Lk 1:5-25; Jn 3:22-30; Ps 33.
Thought for today: God’s counsel is assured.
Let us pray: God, help us to follow you wholeheartedly
without looking to either right or left – Amen.
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