Reflection on the Gospel of the THE BIRTH OF JOHN THE BAPTIST |
Luke 1: 57-66, 80 |
Today our Mother church celebrates the nativity of John the Baptist. We remember all saints death anniversary and honour them for their role and commitment in Gods call. Every year, only 3 persons births and death anniversary are celebrated as solemn feast in the church, i.e. Jesus, Mary and John the Baptist. The reason behind this is that they played an important role in final advancement in the Gods salvation plan for the world. God choose these 3 person for special mission and protected them from the beginning of their lives on earth and filled them with the holy spirit to carry forward their special mission. Each of us are also called to play their role as according to their call and accomplished the mission entrusted to them.
When God created the world everything was good, pure and holy. There was no evil in the world. Through rejection of God’s Love and Forgiveness, sin came into the world, thus humanity lost the glory of God’s and eternal life. To repair this break/breach/union, God continuously sent messengers to advance their redemption. Many prophets were called to bring the people closer to God. Among all these John the Baptist was called to call everyone to make ready for the coming of God their King, to the final act of God’s Redemption/re-building of the relationship between God and people. His call is to prepare a way for the Messiah; make ready their hearts – his call is to sanctify, his call is to preach the coming of Gods Kingdom, his call is to make people repent from their sin – like the prodigal son, his call is to baptise to the people – initiate preparation – change of heart – showing desire to see God’s Kingdom and Presence – choosing God over self. John the Baptist stood firm for Justice, always trusting God, even to the extent of laying down his life for the Good News.
John the Baptist was a courageous prophet like prophet Elijah. Elijah completely destroyed Baal worship in Israel and stood against King Ahaz, similarly John the Baptist courageously condemned the wrong acts of King Herod. Through his preaching he redeemed many people from their sin and renewed the broken relationship with God, thus John the Baptist indeed proclaimed how near God’s Kingdom was – playing his role as herald to God’s coming perfectly, thus advancing and bring salvation history near. John the Baptist’s mission and like was highly appreciated by Jesus, and thus honoured hum by saying, “Among those born of women there has been none greater than John the Baptist” (Mt 11:11). Today the church remembers the John the Baptist, honours him and celebrates him.
