Word to the Wise
Wednesday, June 24, 2009 - Nativity of John the Baptist
[Isaiah 49:1-6; Acts 13:22-26; Luke 1:57-66, 80]John heralded his coming by proclaiming a baptism of repentance to all the people of Israel; and as John was completing his course, he would say, "What do you suppose that I am? I am not he. Behold, one is coming after me; I am not worthy to unfasten the sandals of his feet."
When the angel Gabriel appeared to Mary, the message included the fact that her cousin, Elizabeth, was in her sixth month. Once the church decided that December 25th would be the date on which the birth of Jesus would be celebrated, it was simple matter to count six months back and set the date for John the Baptist! The same process governed the date for the feast of the Annunciation, March 25, nine months before! Great liturgical decisions can be impacted by biology! Perhaps a greater decision is shown by the way in which the Gospel of Luke (and Acts) gives great deference to John the Baptist but also makes sure that everyone knows the theological "pecking order," as it were! John the Baptist still had a big reputation and there were still preachers who followed his example at the time this gospel was put into writing. So, there is considerable theological diplomacy going on here, but the correct order of things is clearly stated! In our own day and age, John's example as a preacher (maybe not his diet or wardrobe) remains important. Jesus is more than just another religious guru or hero or TV evangelist. We proclaim his death, his resurrection and his future coming, not only at Mass after the consecration, but after Mass when we head for work or home or whatever our day has in store for us. While we're at it, we can hum a "Happy Birthday" to John the Baptist! AMEN
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