SOLEMNITY OF THE NATIVITY OF SAINT JOHN THE BAPTIST - Mass during the Day - Gospel (Lk 1:57-66. 80)
- NHA CHUA CHA
- Jun 25
- 5 min read
FIRST READING - 49:1-6
A reading from the Book of Isaiah
Hear me, O coastlands,
listen, O distant peoples.
The LORD called me from birth,
from my mother’s womb he gave me my name.
He made of me a sharp-edged sword
and concealed me in the shadow of his arm.
He made me a polished arrow,
in his quiver he hid me.
You are my servant, he said to me,
Israel, through whom I show my glory.
Though I thought I had toiled in vain,
and for nothing, uselessly, spent my strength,
yet my reward is with the LORD,
my recompense is with my God.
For now the LORD has spoken
who formed me as his servant from the womb,
that Jacob may be brought back to him
and Israel gathered to him;
and I am made glorious in the sight of the LORD,
and my God is now my strength!
It is too little, he says, for you to be my servant,
to raise up the tribes of Jacob,
and restore the survivors of Israel;
I will make you a light to the nations,
that my salvation may reach to the ends of the earth.
SECOND READING from the Book of the Acts of the Apostles - Acts 13:22-26
In those days, Paul said:
“God raised up David as king;
of him God testified,
I have found David, son of Jesse, a man after my own heart;
he will carry out my every wish.
From this man’s descendants God, according to his promise,
has brought to Israel a savior, Jesus.
John heralded his coming by proclaiming a baptism of repentance
to all the people of Israel;
and as John was completing his course, he would say,
‘What do you suppose that I am? I am not he.
Behold, one is coming after me;
I am not worthy to unfasten the sandals of his feet.’
“My brothers, sons of the family of Abraham,
and those others among you who are God-fearing,
to us this word of salvation has been sent.”
GOSPEL OF THE DAY - 1:57-66, 80
From the Gospel according to Luke
When the time arrived for Elizabeth to have her child
she gave birth to a son.
Her neighbors and relatives heard
that the Lord had shown his great mercy toward her,
and they rejoiced with her.
When they came on the eighth day to circumcise the child,
they were going to call him Zechariah after his father,
but his mother said in reply,
“No. He will be called John.”
But they answered her,
“There is no one among your relatives who has this name.”
So they made signs, asking his father what he wished him to be called.
He asked for a tablet and wrote, “John is his name,”
and all were amazed.
Immediately his mouth was opened, his tongue freed,
and he spoke blessing God.
Then fear came upon all their neighbors,
and all these matters were discussed
throughout the hill country of Judea.
All who heard these things took them to heart, saying,
“What, then, will this child be?”
For surely the hand of the Lord was with him.
The child grew and became strong in spirit,
and he was in the desert until the day
of his manifestation to Israel.
SOLEMNITY OF THE NATIVITY OF SAINT JOHN THE BAPTIST - Mass during the Day - Gospel (Lk 1:57-66. 80)
Dear People of God,
The Word of God for today reveals that the life of each person is in the hands of God. He created every individual with a unique soul and mission. All lives, souls, and vocations are important and good in God’s eyes. Therefore, whether a person is great or small is not what matters—what truly matters to God is faithfulness to the mission and vocation He has given, even before birth.
Saint John the Baptist is a powerful testament to the strength and mission that God entrusts to a person. No one possesses the power and authority like God; everything is in His hands. If God does not grant it, humans can do nothing in this world.
The image of Zechariah and Elizabeth also shows that God’s power surpasses human limitations. Elizabeth was old, and yet she gave birth. Who could have made that happen? Only God.
The authority and power of God is also evident in the life of Saint John the Baptist, whom He placed in His plan of salvation. Saint John was chosen to go before the Savior and prepare His way—a special calling from God. Saint John had the mission to preach the Word of God, calling people to repent, return to God, and prepare to welcome the Savior into the world. He was specially appointed by God. However, this did not mean that he did not make an effort, or that he did not sacrifice or give of himself each day. As a human being, he also needed to cooperate with the grace that God gave him—by letting go of everything in order to courageously go out and proclaim the Gospel of God's salvation to all people.
He humbled himself and considered himself the least of all, saying: “The one who is coming after me, whose sandal strap I am not worthy to untie.” Indeed, his life clearly demonstrated the power and authority of God. Because of his loyalty and obedience, he was constantly filled with the grace of the Holy Spirit. Ultimately, he completely fulfilled the calling and mission that God had given him, even to the point of giving his life in order to defend the Truth.
In today's Word of God, He invites all His children to follow the example of the life, calling, and mission of Saint John the Baptist—through a life of dedication to God and a life of sacrificial service to others. The saint demonstrated loyalty and obedience to God in every step, so that all people might be able to receive the Savior.
Reflecting on that calling, each person is invited to place themselves before God. He gives each one the grace needed for their unique vocation. When we receive our mission along with His sufficient grace, God calls us to carry it out faithfully and to remain obedient to Him until our final breath. We are called to devote ourselves to His plan, recognizing His power and authority manifested in all people.
God demands nothing more than loyalty and obedience, just as the Son of God obeyed Him.
Like Saint John the Baptist, who brought the Word of God to all people, calling everyone to repent and return to the God who always loves mankind.
Thanks be to God. Amen.
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