HOMILY FOR THE SOLEMNITY OF THE NATIVITY OF JOHN THE BAPTIST (3)

HOMILY FOR THE SOLEMNITY OF THE NATIVITY OF JOHN THE BAPTIST

THEME: JOHN THE BAPTIST

BY: FR GERALD M. MUSA

HOMILY FOR THURSDAY JUNE 23 2022

The miraculous birth of John the Baptist was greeted with excitement. All who heard about his birth wondered, “What then will this child become?” (John 1:66). He was given the name ‘John,’ which means ‘God is gracious.’ The name defined the miraculous circumstance of his birth as well as the significant role he played in the history of salvation. It is not surprising that the Church dedicates a special day annually (24th June) to celebrate his birth. Jesus acknowledged his greatness when he said, “Truly I tell you, among those born of women no one greater than John the Baptist has appeared” (Luke 7:26). John the Baptist’s special mission was to welcome, reveal, and point to Jesus to many who were unable to recognize him. He was a model of humility who was not distracted by his popularity. He was a prophet who preached what he practiced and practiced what he preached. Like John the Baptist, every child is born for a purpose and it is the responsibility of parents, relations, and teachers to groom a child towards fulfilling that purpose. A Sudanese proverb says, “We desire to bequeath two things to our children; the first one is roots, the other one is wings.” Have you discovered your identity and mission? How well are you fulfilling your God-given mission of making Jesus known?

ISAIAH 49:1-6; ACTS OF THE APOSTLES 13:22-26; LUKE 1:57-66, 80