JOHN: A MAN OF GREAT REPUTE (Is 49:1-6; Acts 13:22-26; Lk 1:57-66, 80)
By REV. FR. PAUL ANIGBORO
JOHN: A MAN OF GREAT REPUTE
(Is 49:1-6; Acts 13:22-26; Lk 1:57-66, 80)
We celebrate the feast of the Birth of John the Baptist this Sunday instead of the Twelfth Sunday in Ordinary Time because of John’s prominent role in the history of salvation as the forerunner of the Messiah. It was he who prepared Israel to receive their long-awaited Messiah by preaching repentance.
What is special in a birthday? In the church's calendar year, we celebrate the birthdays of 3 persons and they include: Jesus, Blessed Virgin Mary and John the Baptist. Birthdays are special days when we remember our arrival into this world. There is the tendency in every young person and even adults to anticipate and celebrate their birthdays because it's usually a day of thanksgiving and reflection on a new year. These 3 persons we celebrate theirs during the year are not just ordinary people, they played a great role in our salvation.
John the Baptist was a man of great repute and very influential in Israel. He was generally accepted by the people of Israel as a prophet due to his unique lifestyle.
Today's readings give us more insight into the life of this great man of high repute. The first reading, expresses important aspects of John’s career as a prophet to God’s people and as a light to the nations who was named and sanctified from his mother’s womb. The second reading describes the mission of John the Baptist. It tells us how John the Baptist, in all humility, publicly acknowledged his role as only the Messiah’s herald, whose role was to prepare Israel to receive the Messiah by inviting the people to receive the baptism of repentance.
The gospel describes the birth of John the Baptist and his circumcision and naming ceremony on the eighth day. In the presence of friends and relatives, Zechariah miraculously regains his power speech after declaring in writing, “John is his name.” The name John means "God is gracious".
John was not just a prophet but a forerunner of Jesus Christ. He did his work with great humility. In several passages he highlighted his role as a servant not worthy to untie the sandals of his feet (John 1:27). He also made reference to Jesus as the lamb of God (John 1:29). When he was told that Jesus was receiving more persons than him, he simply said he must increase while I decrease (John 3:30).
John the Baptist has set before us the standard every Christian must live up to. We are called to be people of great repute by living a life God will be proud of. We must remember our roles as light and salt of the world and these we must fulfil. We are called to preach Christ and not ourselves. To lead people to Jesus and not somewhere else. Also, we must learn to have the courage of John the Baptist who was not afraid to speak to anyone, so far as it concerns God's message. We must be courageous in our proclamation and be diligent in doing it.
May St. John the Baptist intercede for us always in God's presence. Amen.
Good morning and do have a wonderful day. God loves you.
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