The following reflection is courtesy of PresentationMinistries (c) 2014. Their website is located at PresentationMinistries YOU AND THE NATIONS I will make you a light to the nations, that My salvation may reach to the ends of the earth. Isaiah 49:6 God has raised up multitudes of incredibly zealous and dedicated people who for years have passed on One Bread, One Body to others because of their love of Gods Word and of Holy Mass. Through Gods grace, these teachings become known afar off (Sir 24:30) and, incredibly, reach many throughout the world. The Lord has raised up others who type, edit, print, post, and link these teachings for the world to read. All of these blessed people are a light to the nations. God has enabled our humble ministry to reach to the ends of the earth (Is 49:6). What about you? Do you consider yourself too insignificant for Almighty God to use powerfully? We are all unworthy to serve Jesus (Acts 13:25), but that doesnt stop God from using us powerfully. You are, like St. John the Baptizer, a prophet by virtue of your baptism (Catechism, 1268). You are even greater than John because of your faith in Jesus (Mt 11:11). God is telling you: You are My servant...through whom I show My glory (Is 49:3). Allow the Lord to shine through you as He wills. Prayer: Father, I am totally Yours. Be glorified through my life. Promise: His mouth was opened and his tongue loosed, and he began to speak in praise of God. Lk 1:64 Praise: St. John the Baptizer gave encouragement to his mother and praise to his Savior even before he was born. (This teaching was submitted by a member of our editorial team.) Rescript: In accord with the Code of Canon Law, I hereby grant my permission to publish One Bread, One Body covering the period from June 1, 2014 through July 31, 2014.Most Reverend Joseph R. Binzer, Auxiliary Bishop, Vicar General of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, January 2, 2014. The rescript is a declaration that a book or pamphlet is considered to be free of doctrinal or moral error. It is not implied that those who have granted ecclesial permission agree with the contents, opinions, or statements The following reflection is courtesy of Don Schwager (c) 2014, whose website is located at DailyScripture.net Birthdays are a special time to remember and give thanks for the blessings that have come our way. Are you grateful for the ways that God has worked in your life, even from your birth? In many churches of the East and West the birth of John the Baptist is remembered on this day. The friends of Zechariah and Elizabeth marveled at the wonderful way in which God blessed them with a child. This child was destined by God for an important mission. The last verses in the last book of the Old Testament, taken from the prophet Malachi, speak of the Lords messenger, the prophet Elijah who will return to turn the hearts of fathers to their children and the hearts of children to their fathers (Malachi 4:6). Birth and mission of John the Baptist We see the beginning of the fulfillment of this word when the Angel Gabriel announced to Zechariah the marvelous birth and mission of John the Baptist (Luke 1:17). When this newly born child was about to be named, as customary on the eighth day, his relatives quibbled over what name to give him. (Dont relatives today often do the same when the time comes for naming a newborn?) This child, however has been named from above! And Elizabeth is firm in her faith and determined to see that God be glorified through this child. The name John means the Lord is gracious. In the birth of John and in the birth of Jesus the Messiah we see the grace of God breaking forth into a world broken by sin and without hope. Johns miraculous birth shows the mercy and favor of God in preparing his people for the coming of its Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. John the Baptists life was fueled by one burning passion - to point others to Jesus Christ and to the coming of Gods kingdom. Scripture tells us that John was filled with the Holy Spirit even from his mothers womb (Luke 1:15, 41) by Christ himself, whom Mary had just conceived by the Holy Spirit. When Mary visited her cousin Elizabeth, John lept in the womb of Elizabeth as they were filled with the Holy Spirit (Luke 1:41). The fire of the Spirit dwelt in John and made him the forerunner of the coming Messiah. John was led by the Spirit into the wilderness prior to his ministry where he was tested and grew in the word of God. Johns clothing was reminiscent of the prophet Elijah (see Kings 1:8). John broke the prophetic silence of the previous centuries when he began to speak the word of God to the people of Israel. His message was similar to the message of the Old Testament prophets who chided the people of God for their unfaithfulness and who tried to awaken true repentance in them. Among a people unconcerned with the things of God, it was his work to awaken their interest, unsettle them from their complacency, and arouse in them enough good will to recognize and receive Christ when he came. Gods gracious gift to us What is the significance of John the Baptist and his message for our lives? When God acts to save us he graciously fills us with his Holy Spirit and makes our faith come alive to his promises. Each and every day the Lord is ready to renew us in faith, hope, and love. Like John the Baptist, the Lord invites each of us to make our life a free-will offering to God. God wants to fill us with his glory all the days of our lives, from birth through death. Renew the offering of your life to God and give him thanks for his mercy and favor towards you. Lord Jesus, you bring hope and salvation to a world lost in sin, despair, and suffering. Let your grace refresh and restore your people today in the hope and joy of your great victory over sin and death.
Posted on: Tue, 24 Jun 2014 21:10:19 +0000
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