God is gracious...all the time!

The Birth of St John the Baptist
Isaiah 49:1-6; Acts 13:22-26; Luke 1:57-66, 80
June 23-24, 2007

Introduction
Today the Church observes the birth of the sixth-month older cousin of Jesus – St John the Baptist. This means starting today or tomorrow we have six months to go before Christmas! Merry Christmas! :)

As a rule, the Church celebrates the feast of a saint once a year, on the anniversary of the saint’s death. But John the Baptist breaks this rule! In his case the Church celebrates his death, as well as his birth. He is the only saint whose birth is celebrated with a solemn feast. This is the Church’s way of saying that John the Baptist has a very special role in our Christian life.

Why? Because John the Baptist marks the frontier or the boundary between the Old and the New Testament. John was the very last who prophesied the coming of the Son of God. John represents the Old Testament and at the same time he introduces the New Testament as he prepares the coming of Jesus.

Greatness of John
Jesus Christ himself speaks of the greatness of John the Baptist, he says, “among those born of women no one is greater than John.”

The greatness of John the Baptist is very obvious in the Church. Many churches throughout the world were dedicated to him. There have been 23 Popes who have taken his name.

John is the Name
Perhaps “John” is one of the most popular names for male worldwide. The name “John” is translated into different languages: Giovanni (Italian), Juan (Spanish/Filipino), Johannes (German, Danish, Swedish, Dutch), Ian (Scotish), Sean (Irish after the French Jean), João (Portuguese), János (Hungarian), Johnny (American?).

Well, John is not only popular for male but it has also feminine forms such Giovanna, Jana, Joan, Joanne, Jean, Janice, Jeanette, Juana, Jane and so on.

(Once I asked my mother where she got my name "John." I thought she derived from the Bible unfortunately she said it's not. She got my name "John" from a popular Filipino comedian*)

I read somewhere that the seven musical notes -- do, re, mi, fa, sol, la, ti -- have something to do with John the Baptist. They are derived from the first seven syllables of the first stanza (strophe) of a liturgical hymn composed in his honor. If you don't believe me. Check it out from the internet. I got it from there! :)

What’s in the name of John the Baptist that makes him so popular? Why does the gospel show such an interest in the naming of the child?

In biblical times, the name of the person is very important because the name reveals an essential character, the purpose, the mission and the destiny of the bearer. We heard in the Gospel that it was a Jewish custom that a first born son must be named after his father. Again John breaks the rule - he was execempted to follow the tradition.

He had already a name even before he was conceived by his mother Elizabeth. It shows that his mission was made clear even before he was born. Remember it was an angel who appeared to Zechariah that his son will be named “John.” John means “God is gracious.”

The words of Isaiah in the first reading apply equally to John: “The lord called me before I was born, while I was in my mother's womb he named me. … he formed me in the womb to be his servant (Isaiah 49:1, 5).

Greatness = Sacrifices
John is great, John is popular basically because “God is gracious” to him. But John's greatness and popularity correspond to his great sacrifices. His purpose in life required him to live in the desert far not only from his loved ones but also far from civilizations. He adapted a difficult lifestyle to enhance his calling in life. He had to dress in rough animal skin and eat the vegetarian food of locust and wild honey.

To prepare way of the Lord he sacrificed his personal happiness for others sake.

Our Youth

In the Gospel today people around Elizabeth and Zechariah were asking what will be the future of their son. “What, then, will this child be?” Then Gospel continues, “the child grew and became strong in spirit…”

I’d like to ask the same question to our young people particularly in our parish: “What, then, will our young people be in the future?” What, then, will the church be in the coming years?”

Will our youth be like John the Baptist who grew and became strong in spirit? Will our young people be great like John the Baptist in terms of his faithfulness in Christ? Will our young people be ready to endure some sacrifices for the good of Church?

I’d like to read one paragraph from Pope Benedict XVI’s World Youth Day message this year for the young people. He calls them to be Witnesses to the love of Christ:

“….you should stimulate, with your enthusiasm and charity, the activities of the parishes, the communities, the ecclesial movements and the youth groups to which you belong. Be attentive in your concern for the welfare of others, faithful to the commitments you have made.

Do not hesitate to joyfully abstain from some of your entertainments; cheerfully accept the necessary sacrifices; testify to your faithful love for Jesus by proclaiming his Gospel, especially among young people of your age.”

*
Let us pray that the official launching of World Youth Day 08 in our parish this evening will enable our young people to activate their faith and desire to Jesus, only to Jesus, always to Jesus. Amen.






*That Filipino comedian is 'John Puruntong' from a comedy program "John n Marsha" :) The last two pictures were taken from our youth group bowling night.