Sunday 24 June
(Solemnity) Birth of St John the Baptist • Luke 1:57-66, 80
Today we celebrate the birth of one of our greatest sons. John the Baptist, the forerunner of the Lord, who could rightly be called the last of the Old Testament prophets, was outstanding in so many ways. He was a prophet. He was a preacher. He was a disciple. He was a martyr.
As in the case of his Lord and Master, the details of the events surrounding John the Baptist’s conception and birth are provided by Luke, the Bible’s master story-teller, and he makes Zechariah’s canticle of praise a key part of his narrative. The canticle, which we call the Benedictus, like Mary’s Magnificat weaves traditional Hebrew quotations and themes into a hymn of praise. His hymn is described as prophecy under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. Prophecy in this biblical sense does not mean primarily foretelling of the future, as we might understand it, but a divinely enlightened proclamation of the meaning of the events unfolding before the prophet’s very eyes. Zechariah saw in the birth of his son God’s remembrance of his covenant promise to David (2 Sam. 7:8-16) and the salvation of God’s people. It is as if there are two parts to the canticle. The first part has a sense that the longed-for salvation is political and earthly, involving the overthrowing of national enemies, while the second part speaks of salvation in the broader sense of freedom from sin and reconciliation with God.
The Holy Spirit gives us a reverence and love for the Benedictus and we do well to learn it and recite it during our day. Wouldn’t it be wonderful if part of our early formation as believers involved the learning of such prayers as the Benedictus and Magnificat? For these prayers are the fruit of deep reflection and real experience of the events of salvation as they unfolded.
We share today Zechariah’s delight and praise of God for the birth of John the Baptist. The prophet’s message of repentance and of turning away from sin is as relevant and meaningful today as it was then. In fact, his word is increasingly relevant in a world which has lost a sense of sin.
Lord, I rejoice in the ministry of John the Baptist. His message of preparation for the coming of the Lord and of repentance speaks to our world today. Teach me to open my heart to his wisdom and light.
Isaiah 49:1-6 • Psalm 138(139):1-3, 13-15
Acts 13:22-26 • Luke 1:57-66, 80
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