June 24, 2017

John the Baptist's birth

June 24, 2017:  Nativity of St. John the Baptist

See over 20 connections with today?
Legend below
Listen*

  • John/ Winter (Medical Mission Sisters) (gospel) [leadsheet and note]
Serrans promote vocations to priesthood and religious life; they're special friends the Lord has brought into seminarians' and priests' lives.  Friends stand at our side, listen to us closely, see beyond words, are merciful when faced with our faults, and aren't judgmental.   This is the kind of friendship you offer priests.  You foster the beautiful vocation of being laity who are priests' friends. 
"Siempre adelante (Keep moving forward)!," used to describe you, is a synonym for the Christian vocation.  Vocation is an invitation to go forth from ourselves, rejoice in our relationship with the Lord, and journey along the ways he opens to us.  But we can't make progress without taking risks, having courage to dare, not letting fear stifle creativity, not being suspicious of new things, but embracing the challenges the Spirit sets before us, even when it means changing plans.  Keep moving forward with courage, creativity, and boldness.  Always be ready to try new things.
Read
Vigil
      Animate
    • Jer 1:4-10  Lord / Jeremiah:  "Before you were born, I formed and dedicated you and appointed you prophet." / “I'm too young!” / “Don't say that or be afraid; I'm with you.  You'll go where I send you and speak what I command.  I set you over nations to tear down and build."
    • Ps 71:1-4a, 5-6ab, 15ab, 17  "Since my mother’s womb, you have been my strength."  Hear, rescue, and deliver me; you're my hope and trust.  I'll declare your justice and salvation.
    • 1 Pt 1:8-12  Though you haven't seen Jesus, you love and believe in him and rejoice as you attain the salvation that prophets searched for and investigated...
    • Lk 1:5-17  Zechariah and Elizabeth were righteous God's eyes but old and childless.  Angel to Zechariah:  “Your prayer has been heard.  Elizabeth will bear you a son; name him John.  Many will rejoice; he'll be great in God's sight, filled with the Spirit.  He'll turn children of Israel to the Lord and prepare a people fit for the Lord.
Daytime
    • Is 49:1-6  The Lord called and formed me:  "You're my servant.  Through you Jacob and Israel will be gathered to me.  I'll make you a light to the nations, that my salvation may reach the ends of the earth."
      "His name is John" (Animate)
    • Ps 139:1b-3, 13-15  "I praise you, for I am wonderfully made."  You've formed me and know me....
    • Acts 13:22-26  Paul:  “God raised up David as king and brought to Israel a savior, Jesus, from his descendants.  John heralded him by proclaiming a baptism of repentance, saying, ‘One is coming after me; I'm not worthy to unfasten his sandals.’  This word of salvation has been sent to you....”
    • Lk 1:57-66, 80  Elizabeth gave birth; her neighbors and relatives rejoiced.  They were going to name him Zechariah, but she said, “No:  John.” / “But none of your relatives has that name.”  They made signs asking his father; he wrote, “John,” all were amazed, his mouth was opened, he spoke blessing God, fear came upon the neighbors, and everyone talked about it:  “What will this child be?  God is with him."  The child grew and became strong in spirit...
Reflect
  • Creighton:  Today’s readings remind us of how John prepared the way for Jesus.  Where can we find John's message today?  In all those around us, if we seek to understand, listen, and see the face of God in them. As we open our hearts to God's message for us, we can hear John's message.
  • One Bread, One Body:  "Halfway to Jesus' birthday":  The significance of John the Baptist, Mary, and each of us is from our relationship with Jesus.  We celebrate John's birthday halfway to the celebration of Jesus'.  John was chosen to prepare the way for Jesus. We celebrate Mary because she's Jesus' mother.  We celebrate our lives because we've given them to Jesus, "the Way, Truth, and Life," "the Beginning and the End," "the First and the Last," Messiah, Savior, Lord, God, Hope for the world, in whom we live.  Let us behold the Lamb of God, keep our eyes fixed on Jesus, and live for him.
    Nativity of Saint John the Baptist/ Gentileschi
  • Passionist:  John's vocation was God's idea, not his own; he was chosen before birth.  God designed his life and ours:  “Lord, you are our Father, we the clay, you our potter; all of us are the work of your hand."   The people I live with aren't just accidents; God sets up our lives so we may best fulfill his plans!  'Providence,' from Hebrew for "The Lord will provide," means “God will see to it.”  We must trust God’s care even in the scary situations of our life.
  • DailyScripture.net:  "The hand of the Lord was with him":  Birthdays are a special time to remember and give thanks for the blessings that have come our way. Are yo"The hand of the Lord was with him":  John was named from above, and Elizabeth was determined to see God glorified through him.  'John' means "the Lord is gracious."  In the births of John and Jesus, God's grace breaks forth into a broken, hopeless world.  John’s miraculous birth shows God's mercy and favor in preparing his people for its Savior's coming.  John's passion was to point others to Christ and God's kingdom.  John was filled with the Holy Spirit even from his mother's womb.  The Spirit in John made him the forerunner of the Messiah.  The Spirit led John into the wilderness to be tested and grow in the word of God.  John broke prophetic silence by speaking God's word, chiding God's people for their unfaithfulness, and trying to awaken repentance in them.  When God acts to save us, he fills us with his Spirit and makes our faith come alive.  The Lord is always ready to renew us in faith, hope, and love and to make our life an offering to God.
  • Universalis:  John the Baptist (the only saint other than Mary and Joseph to have more than one feast days), prophet from before his birth, leaping in the womb to announce Jesus, proclaimed the fulfillment of all prophecies, and so his own obsolescence.  With courage he spread the news that he was the least in the kingdom of heaven.
Dress legend*
  • 'Hand' tie pin:  the Lord extended his hand to Jeremiah (1st reading v); "rescue me from the hand of the wicked" (psalm v); "the hand of the Lord was with [John]" (gospel d)
  • 'Plant' pin:  "I set you ... to build and to plant" (1st reading v)
  • 'Rock' tie pin:  "You're my rock and fortress" (psalm v)
  • 'Angel' pin:  An angel appeared and spoke to Zechariah (gospel v)
  • 'Dove' pin:  John will be filled with the Holy Spirit (gospel v)
  • 'Hearts with arrows' suspenders:  "He made me a sharpened arrow" (1st reading d); John will go before the Lord to turn the children of Israel's hearts (gospel v); I found David a man after my own heart (2nd reading d); all who heard these things [re naming of John and restoration of Zechariah's speech] took them to heart (gospel d)
  • 'Phone' tie bar:  The Lord 'called' me from birth (1st reading d)
  • 'Sword' tie pin:  The Lord made of me a sharp-edged sword (1st reading d)
  • Sandals (not shown), 'feet' pin:  "I'm not worthy to unfasten the sandals of his feet" (2nd reading d)
  • 'Children around the world' tie, 'street light' tie bar:  John will turn the children of Israel to the Lord (gospel v); I set you over the nations (1st reading v); I'll make you a light to the nations (1st reading d)
  • 'Tablet' pin:  Zechariah wrote "John is his name" on a tablet (gospel d)
  • White and red shirt, white socks, 'decapitated skeleton' tie pin:  White for today's celebration, red and pin for John's martyrdom
*:  v=vigil reading, d=daytime reading
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