A VOICE THAT POINTS, PROCLAIMS, & PROFESSES
THE NATIVITY OF JOHN THE BAPTIST June 24, 2007 (vice 12th Sunday in Ordinary Time) Readings: Is 49:1-6 / Acts 13: 22-26 / Lk 1:57-66, 80 Other than Jesus Christ Himself, the Son of God incarnate, only St. John the Baptist is accorded the highest celebration in Church (we call it a Solemnity) on the occasion of his nativity or birthday. For one who declared in all humility, “he must increase, and I must decrease,” (Jn 3:30) St. John is a veritable towering figure in the firmament of superstars in heaven! But today, we would do well to look at the ways by which, and through which, John the Baptist received that heavenly crown of glory that we, and many other generations, extol him for. As usual, the chosen readings for the day are our primary rich resource and reference. First and foremost, we must acknowledge that he was a man “called and sent.” He is a man raised after the heart of God himself. This much, the first reading indirectly alludes to. Although, it is by no means clear that ...