June 24, 2018 Sunday
Nativity of John the Baptist 1st Reading: Isaiah 49:1-6 2nd Reading: Acts 13:22-26 Gospel: Luke 1:57-66, 80
When the time came for Elizabeth, she gave birth to a son. Her neighbors and relatives heard that the merciful Lord had done a wonderful thing for her and they rejoiced with her. When on the eighth day they came to attend the circumcision of the child, they wanted to name him Zechariah after his father. But his mother said, “Not so; he shall be called John.” They said to her, “No one in your family has that name”; and they asked the father by means of signs for the name he wanted to give. Zechariah asked for a writing tablet and wrote on it, “His name is John,” and they were very surprised. Immediately Zechariah could speak again and his first words were in praise of God.
A holy fear came on all in the neighborhood, and throughout the Hills of Judea the people talked about these events. All who heard of it pondered in their minds and wondered, “What will this child be?” For they understood that the hand of the Lord was with him. (…)
D@iGITAL-EXPERIENCE
(Daily Gospel in the
Assimilated Life
Experience)
John the Baptist’s feast takes us back to the biblical scene where two “barren” women, Elizabeth and Mary, met on the hills of Ain Karem. Both could be considered “barren” at different levels. Elizabeth was literally barren for she remained childless in her old age. Mary was poetically barren because even if she was biologically fertile, it was humanly impossible for her to bear in her womb the Son of God.
God turned their “barrenness” to fruitfulness. Conception in old age bannered Elizabeth’s story, while conception in virginity bannered Mary’s. When they met at Ain Karem, both shared one song of thanksgiving proclaiming “the great thing” God has done in their lives. The baby in Elizabeth’s womb heard that song and leapt for joy. Joy also greeted him at birth by the happy faces of parents, relatives and neighbors who welcomed him as the unmistakable proof that “the merciful Lord had done a wonderful thing for (Elizabeth)” (verse 58).
John’s birth reminds us of the wonderful interventions of God in our lives. We are humbled by John the Baptist who leapt for joy in gratitude to the Lord even while still in Elizabeth’s womb. Let us honor John the Baptist on his feast today by taking cognizance of the wonderful things the “merciful” Lord has done for us. “Merciful” is a fitting reminder that as sinners we do not deserve to experience any wondrous deeds from the Lord. For like the two women who met at the hills of Ain Karem, we too are barren in so many ways. Only in God can we bear fruits that last. –(Atty.) Rev. Fr. Dan Domingo P. delos Angeles, Jr., D.M.
May comment ka ba sa column ni Father Dan? May tanong ka ba sa kanya?
I-type ang BANDERA REACT at i-send sa 4467.
Disclaimer: The comments uploaded on this site do not necessarily represent or reflect the views of management and owner of Bandera. We reserve the right to exclude comments that we deem to be inconsistent with our editorial standards.