Greetings on this the Solemnity of the Nativity of Saint John the Baptist
Mass during the Day
Readings: Is 49:1-6; PS 139:1b-3, 13-14ab, 14c-15; Acts 13:22-26; Lk 1:57-66, 80
Notes: Jesus is born six months from now. The Blessed Mother visited Elizabeth for the first three months of her own pregnancy. His herald, John is his name, we celebrate his birth.
After naming John, Zechariah gave us The Canticle of Zechariah, regarding his son:
And you, child, will be called prophet of the Most High, for you will go before the Lord to prepare his ways, to give his people knowledge of salvation through the forgiveness of their sins.
Franciscan Reflection
https://www.franciscanmedia.org/saint-of-the-day/nativity-of-saint-john-the-baptist
First reading
One of Four servant of the Lord Oracles.
Set apart to do the Lord’s work.
Applies to all who serve the Lord and especially to John and Jesus.
The LORD called me from birth, from my mother’s womb he gave me my name.
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.
He said to me, You are my servant, in you, Israel, I show my glory.
Responsorial Psalm
I praise you, for I am wonderfully made.
Second Reading
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.’
Alleluia Verse
You, child, will be called prophet of the Most High, for you will go before the Lord to prepare his way.
Gospel Portion
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.
Take this to heart. You have been called as well to be a Herald:
a. to give your people knowledge of salvation through the forgiveness of their sins.
b. to know the tender mercy of our God.
c. to be visited from on high.
d. to shine on those who sit in darkness and death’s shadow.
e. to guide our feet into the path of peace.
Peace be with you,
Deacon Gerry
Deacon Gerry Palermo 