John the Baptist was a wonder child. The verse above referred to him. But I believe all of us were born as wonder children. I know, because I’m a parent of two kids. Moreover, I’ve been a teacher-educator for more than three decades. I’ve literally seen thousands of children grow up right before my eyes.

They were full of wonder as kids. But so were their parents and teachers who wondered at what they would become. Many have indeed become “wondermen” and “wonderwomen.” But some have also just wandered all their lives, and their parents and teachers continue to wonder, “What happened?” A crucial key for children to become the wonder that they should be is also in the above verse: “For the Lord’s hand was with him.”

Parents, teachers, and people tasked with the important role of raising a child should know the key: raise them up with the Lord’s hand with them—and they will be wonders of God! Alvin Barcelona (apb_ayo@yahoo.com)

reflect

“Train the young in the way they should go; even when old, they will not swerve from it.” (Proverbs 22:6)

Dear God, thank You for the people who raised me with Your hand upon them and upon me. May I do this to my own children and to children that I may be involved in raising. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

St. John the Baptist, pray for us.

First Reading | Isaiah 49:1-6

John the Baptist prepared the way for Jesus. We are also called to prepare the way for Jesus’ coming in our lives and help others do the same. This is what evangelization is about. Proclaiming the Gospel is preparing the way for the coming of Christ to the hearts of the people. We become the light set on a hilltop that can never be overshadowed. We are called to be a light to the nations.

¹ Hear me, O coastlands, listen, O distant peoples. The Lord called me from birth, from my mother’s womb he gave me my name. ² 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. ³ You are my servant, he said to me, Israel, through whom I show my glory. ⁴ 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. ⁵ 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! ⁶ 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.

Responsorial Psalm | Psalm 139:1-3, 13-14, 14-15

R: I praise you for I am wonderfully made.

¹ O Lord, you have probed me and you know me; ² you know when I sit and when I stand; you understand my thoughts from afar. ³ My journeys and my rest you scrutinize, with all my ways you are familiar. (R) ¹³ Truly you have formed my inmost being; you knit me in my mother’s womb. ¹⁴ I give you thanks that I am fearfully, wonderfully made; wonderful are your works. (R) My soul also you knew full well; ¹⁵ nor was my frame unknown to you when I was made in secret, when I was fashioned in the depths of the earth. (R)

Second Reading | Acts 13:22-26

Each of the Apostles had a role in bringing the Gospel to the world. It does not matter what our role is—God has already decided on that. What matters is we are faithful to our call. Paul and Barnabas are set apart for the Gospel to the Gentiles. They begin their mission not knowing where it will lead or what will happen. Let us learn to trust in the Lord for our own mission.

²² In those days, Paul said: “God raised up David as their king; of him he testified, ‘I have found David, son of Jesse, a man after my own heart; he will carry out my every wish.’ ²³ From this man’s descendants God, according to his promise, has brought to Israel a savior, Jesus. ²⁴ John heralded his coming by proclaiming a baptism of repentance to all the people of Israel; ²⁵ 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.’ ²⁶ “My brothers, children of the family of Abraham, and those others among you who are God-fearing, to us this word of salvation has been sent.”

Gospel | Luke 1:57-66, 80

When John was still in Elizabeth’s womb, he recognized the Christ Child—the Savior of all—in Mary’s womb. As we remember the birth of John the Baptist today, we celebrate the miracle of his conception to the aged Elizabeth and the restoration of Zechariah’s speech after nine months of silence.

Gospel Acclamation

You, child, will be called prophet of the Most High, for you will go before the Lord to prepare his way.

⁵⁷ When the time arrived for Elizabeth to have her child she gave birth to a son. ⁵⁸ Her neighbors and relatives heard that the Lord had shown his great mercy toward her, and they rejoiced with her. ⁵⁹ When they came on the eighth day to circumcise the child, they were going to call him Zechariah after his father, ⁶⁰ but his mother said in reply, “No. He will be called John.” ⁶¹ But they answered her, “There is no one among your relatives who has this name.” ⁶² So they made signs, asking his father what he wished him to be called. ⁶³ He asked for a tablet and wrote, “John is his name,” and all were amazed. ⁶⁴ Immediately his mouth was opened, his tongue freed, and he spoke blessing God. ⁶⁵ Then fear came upon all their neighbors, and all these matters were discussed throughout the hill country of Judea. ⁶⁶ 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. ⁸⁰ The child grew and became strong in spirit, and he was in the desert until the day of his manifestation to Israel.

Read the Bible in one year! Read 1 CHRONICLES 1 - 3 today.

Where Is the Lord Leading You?

We usually celebrate the feasts of saints on the dates of their death, that is, when they were born into eternal life. Aside from our Lord Jesus Christ, there are only two other saints whose birthdays we celebrate: St. John the Baptist, His precursor, and His Mother, the Blessed Virgin Mary.

Today’s celebration of the birth of St. John the Baptist is a beautiful occasion for us to appreciate our birthday, our gift of life, of being born into this world to see and experience God’s glory. It is always good to be alive, no matter what our condition or status in life may be. It is unfortunate that many of us fail to see life’s beauty because we have taken control over ourselves and everything, leaving no room for God to work in us, with us, and through us. Sometimes, like the neighbors and relatives of St. John the Baptist did when he was born, we wonder what we would be like when we grow up. Perhaps, it will be best for us today to be silent as we celebrate John the Baptist’s birthday and let God’s hand be upon us, too, so we may ponder and pray where He is leading us.

The week is almost over; tomorrow is a Friday when we “end” our work and studies to unwind. Some of us may be getting tired of the routine, while still others could no longer find meaning and direction in life. Like John the Baptist’s father, Zechariah, we believe so much in ourselves that we forget to trust God. Or perhaps like the relatives and neighbors of Elizabeth who always interfere with God’s plans, insisting on following traditions and patterns, preventing Him from surprising us. Fr. Nick Lalog

reflection questions

Where is God in your life? Is He the one leading you, or is it yourself or other people?

Lord Jesus, teach me to be silent and to listen to You more than to myself or others. Help me to lay aside my own plans and agenda in life so You may lead me where You want me to be. Give me the courage to trust in You alone, to take that deep plunge of believing in You so I can share You to more people. Amen.

Today, I pray for: _________________________