Daily Catholic Lectio
Wed, 24 June 2026
Nativity of John the Baptist, Solemnity
Isa 49:1-6. Ac 13:22-26. Lk 1:57-66, 80
Purpose of Birth
The Church celebrates the birthdays of three persons: Jesus, Mary the Mother of Jesus, and John the Baptist, the forerunner of Jesus. In today’s Gospel, we read about the birth and naming of John the Baptist.
Those who lived around the house of Zechariah and Elizabeth asked one question: “What, then, will this child be?”
The reader discovers the answer in the song of Zechariah: “You, child, will be called prophet of the Most High, for you will go before the Lord to prepare his ways, to give his people knowledge of salvation through the forgiveness of their sins.”
On this feast, let us reflect on four lessons that John the Baptist teaches us about the purpose of life.
First, John revealed his purpose through his actions. At times, the actions of Jesus did not immediately reveal His identity to the people. They continued to ask, “Who is this?” But people clearly understood who John was because his actions expressed his mission. He also openly declared who he was.
Second, John accepted the second place. In today’s world, we sometimes claim even what we do not possess in order to appear important. But when people asked John, “Are you the Messiah?” he replied, “No.” He said that he was not worthy to untie the sandals of the One who was coming after him. He also called himself the friend of the bridegroom.
At a wedding, the light falls upon the bridegroom, not upon his friend. People do not gather to admire the bridegroom’s companions. By placing himself in the second place, John asks us: What is wrong with being second? Elizabeth too must have known that her son would remain in the second place until the end. John teaches us that the second place can also be a beautiful place.
Third, our actions reveal our priorities. If our goals remain only as ideas, we will never reach them. If I want to become a writer, I must write at least one page every day. Without writing, I cannot become a writer. My desire to become a writer must become visible in the act of writing. Only then does it become a true priority.
The actions of John were always directed towards his mission. He lived hidden in the desert because that was part of his calling. He ate locusts and wild honey and wore clothing made of camel’s hair because that was his simple way of life. He baptised people because that was his ministry. He was beheaded because that became the destiny of his prophetic witness. He did not merely dream of becoming the forerunner of the Messiah. He lived and acted as the forerunner, as Saint Paul recalls in the second reading.
Our actions reveal our priorities. On the feast of the birth of John the Baptist, let us correct our priorities and begin to act according to our goals.
Fourth, John teaches us joy. He rejoiced while still in his mother’s womb. His relatives rejoiced at his birth. Later, he described himself as the friend of the bridegroom who rejoices on hearing the bridegroom’s voice.
The neighbours of Zechariah and Elizabeth asked, “What, then, will this child be?” We ask the same question about ourselves in different ways: Is this truly who I am? Is this the purpose of my life? Am I walking on the right path? What is my true identity?
May John the Baptist intercede for us so that we may discover the answers to these questions.
In the first reading, we hear the lament of the prophet Isaiah: “I thought I had toiled in vain, and for nothing, uselessly, spent my strength.” Isaiah cannot see the fruit of his prophetic mission and feels that his work has failed. Yet God reminds him that his roots go beyond what he can see: “The Lord formed me as his servant from the womb.”
Our purpose begins before our visible achievements. Even when we cannot see the fruit of our work, our mission remains in the hands of God.
With the psalmist, let us thank God for the mystery of our creation: “I give thanks that I am fearfully, wonderfully made.”
Fr. Yesu Karunanidhi
Archdiocese of Madurai
A Yesni Prays Initiative
Yesu Karunanidhi 
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