HOMILY OF THE SOLEMNITY OF JOHN THE BAPTIST — YEAR A
HOMILY THEME: JOHN, THE WAY MAKER
BY: Fr. Isaac Awe
Isaiah 49:1-6; Psalm 139:1-3; Acts 13:22-26; Luke 1:57-66.80
It’s one thing to be called and another thing is to be responsive to the call. Prophet Isaiah referred to John the Baptist who was called and sent before he was born. The question should be, to do what? And the answer is very simple, to be a witness which all Christians are meant to be. We have been named and destined from above but our responsiveness will bring out purpose to reality.
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Are we surprised to see the relatives of Zechariah and Elizabeth quibble over what to name their new-born child? Don’t we do the same thing? This child, however has been named from above! And Elizabeth is firm in her faith and determined to see that God be glorified through this child. The name John means “the Lord is gracious“. In the birth of John and in the birth of Jesus the Messiah we see the grace of God breaking forth into a world broken by sin and death and without hope.
John’s miraculous birth shows the mercy and favour of God in preparing his people for the coming of its Lord and Saviour, the Christ. When God acts to save us he graciously fills us with his Holy Spirit and makes our faith “alive” to his promises. Do we make our life an offering to God, along with our family, and all that we possess?
Reflection: Are we way makers or blockers?
PRAYER: Lord, you are gracious and forgiving towards us. May we ever seek to bring you glory in all that we do and say. Amen
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