Daily Gospel Reflection for June 24, 2015

Today's Gospel: Luke 1:57-66, 80

Solemnity of the Nativity of Saint John the Baptist

The birth of a baby is always such a joyful event. My children love for me to tell the stories of their birth days. Each one has his or her own unique story. St. John the Baptist’s birthday story is shared with us in today’s Gospel. Happy Birthday, St. John. What a great story!

Upon the news of your birth, all kinds of friends and family came to visit. So excited were they that they wanted to choose your name. Yet, the angel had made known your name from the beginning. Though your dad was quieted, your mom knew your name was to be John. Sure that you should be named after your father, the family turned to your dad to see what he wished for you to be called. Upon his obedience to the angel’s command, his tongue was loosed. With the first words spoken in nine months, your dad praised God. Then all knew you were going to be a special person indeed: “What will this child be?”

With the birth of each child God gives us, we should contemplate this question. Oh, it is fun to think, “With such long fingers, she would make a fine concert pianist,” or “With lungs like that, he is going to be a preacher!” Pianist, preacher, doctor, lawyer, sanitation worker. The answer to the question, “What will this child be?” should always be the same. Like John the Baptist, my child is destined to be a saint!

Did not Jesus say, “I assure you, there is no man born of a woman greater than John, yet he who is least in the kingdom of God is greater than he” (Luke 7:28)? By their Baptism, our children are children of God and heirs to the Kingdom. They are greater than the great John the Baptist!

We need to make them aware of their great dignity and their high calling. If, as they grow, they put into practice the motto of St. John the Baptist, “He must increase; I must decrease,” saints they will become.

Ponder:

How can I help my child become a saint?

Pray:

St. John the Baptist, through Baptism, my children are heirs of the Kingdom of God. Beg God to pour the graces upon them that they need to become saints. St. Elizabeth, pray for me, their mother. Zachariah, pray for my husband, their father. Help us all to be holy. Amen.

We thank our friends at The Word Among Us for providing our gospel reflection team with copies of Abide In My Word 2015: Mass Readings at Your Fingertips. To pray the daily gospels with this wonderful resource, visit The Word Among Us.

Copyright 2015 Kelly Guest