Today is the Solemnity of St. John the Baptist. The readings at Mass are filled with mystery and fire and wondrous anticipation. But I was struck this year by the words in the Gospel when John's father, Zechariah pronounced his name and suddenly was able to speak.
"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?"
It brings a bit of a smile to imagine the word spreading from one excited neighbor to another down through that hill county in thrilling whispers.... what will this child be........what will this child be?"
And they watched him grow, waiting for the answer.
There is no doubt that Jesus loved and openly admired John (what a thought to be admired by God!) "as a man after His own heart". For elsewhere in the Gospels He says,
"Truly I say to you, among those born of woman, there has arisen no one greater than John the Baptist. Yet even the least in the kingdom of Heaven is greater than he!"
And that LEAST He is talking about is US, the members of His church. And just as John the Baptist's neighbors asked that question about him, we as parents should ask that question about each of our children with that same thrill, as the water is poured and chrism oil anoints them into the Heavenly Kingdom. "What will this child be?" And our job is to watch and pray and let them grow in safety and the peace of home, until they reveal their very particular purpose for being sent to us from God. It brings a thrill of mystery: why was this child sent?
By Confirmation we all receive that character which makes us Priests, Prophets, and Kings. Priests because we can unite our prayers up at Mass for those we love and for the whole Church, Kings because we are rulers over our own actions and responsibilities before God, and Prophets because by our actions and words we reveal to others Whom we serve.
We are all prophets sent to each other and to the Church. The one great question posed by the Church when we are baptized should be at the front of our mind each day.
"What will this child be?"
And our reply must be,
"Have I answered this question, yet?"
St. John the Baptist, help us live this answer by your prayers.
"Truly I say to you, among those born of woman, there has arisen no one greater than John the Baptist. Yet even the least in the kingdom of Heaven is greater than he!"
And that LEAST He is talking about is US, the members of His church. And just as John the Baptist's neighbors asked that question about him, we as parents should ask that question about each of our children with that same thrill, as the water is poured and chrism oil anoints them into the Heavenly Kingdom. "What will this child be?" And our job is to watch and pray and let them grow in safety and the peace of home, until they reveal their very particular purpose for being sent to us from God. It brings a thrill of mystery: why was this child sent?
By Confirmation we all receive that character which makes us Priests, Prophets, and Kings. Priests because we can unite our prayers up at Mass for those we love and for the whole Church, Kings because we are rulers over our own actions and responsibilities before God, and Prophets because by our actions and words we reveal to others Whom we serve.
We are all prophets sent to each other and to the Church. The one great question posed by the Church when we are baptized should be at the front of our mind each day.
"What will this child be?"
And our reply must be,
"Have I answered this question, yet?"
St. John the Baptist, help us live this answer by your prayers.
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