Daily Catholic Lectio. Mon, 24 June 2024. His name is John

Daily Catholic Lectio 

Mon, 24 June 2024

Nativity of John the Baptist

Isaiah 49:1-6. Acts 13:22-26. Luke 1:57-66, 80

His name is John

Our Mother Church celebrates the birthdays of three persons: Jesus, His Blessed Mother Mary, and His forerunner John the Baptist. The birth of a great person is called as ‘nativity’ (from Latin, ‘natus’). Hence, today we celebrate the nativity of John the Baptist.

In today’s gospel reading (cf. Lk 1:57-66, 80) we read the birth and the naming story of John the Baptist. At the annunciation narrative, Zechariah is muted. His muteness is more figurative than physical. For, John the Baptist comes as the ‘voice’ to announce about the ‘word’, who is Jesus. Hence, when Zechariah writes, ‘his name is John’, he is unmute, and begins to speak. By this gesture, he also announced that ‘the Lord is gracious or merciful’ – this is the meaning of the name ‘Yo-hanan’ (‘Jo-hanan’). 

Saint Augustine, reflecting on John the Baptist, writes, “John was the voice; and Jesus was the Word. In ordinary communication, we utter words. Words can’t exist without voice. But, voice is forgotten. Words are remembered. John always chose the second place.”

‘What, then, will this child be?’ – was the question that arose in the hearts of neighbours of Elizabeth-Zechariah. The answer to this question lies in the Benedictus, the Song of Zechariah: “And you, child, will be called the prophet of the Most High; for you will go before the Lord to prepare his ways” (Lk 1:76). 

Every child comes with a message. And John’s message is to tell us that salvation is near.  Today let us reflect on the life lessons that we can learn from John the Baptist:

(a) He showed his life’s goal in his actions

Often times, Jesus kept his audience in the guess. People could not understand who really Jesus was. But, it was not so with John the Baptist. Every action showed what his goal was. He persisted in his actions.

(b) Being in the Second Place

When John was asked whether he was the Messiah, he outrightly said, ‘no.’ Moreover, he identified as someone who one to untie the sandal, and who would stand as a friend to the groom. He was happy to stand at the second place. He never aspired to take the first place, the place of the Messiah.

(c) Our actions express our priorities 

Our goals become realities when they are showed in our actions. Or else remain mere wishes. John’s actions – his inconspicuous life, his frugal meals, his simple lifestyle, his baptism, his martyrdom – show us what type of priorities he possessed.

(d) Joy

John leapt with joy when he was in his mother’s womb. His birth brought forth joy to his neighbours. John shows us that joy consists in humility, listening to God’s voice, doing one’s own duty, and accepting pains.

(e) Confronting the power

John confronted Herod the Great, even when he knew that it could cost his life. He never compromised with truth. He stood his feet.

(f) Friend of the bridegroom

John called himself as ‘voice’ and a ‘friend of the bridegroom.’ He was happy listening to the ‘word’. Jesus called his disciples friends. We too come into the friendship circle of Jesus. Are we happy listening to the ‘word’?

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John the Baptist, through his message of conversion and action of baptism acted as a messenger of hope. (Jubilee 2025 AD, bite 132).

Fr. Yesu Karunanidhi

Archdiocese of Madurai

Missionary of Mercy