YOU ARE CREATED FOR A PURPOSE!

⏰Solemnity of the Nativity of St. John the Baptist (24 June 2018)

📑Isa 49:1-6; Ps 139:1-3, 13-14, 15 (R.v.14a); Acts 13:22-26; Luke 1:57-66, 80

What comes to your mind when you think of John the Baptist? Here are few biblical references on him:

👉He was a prophet (Matt 3:1-3; 17:10-13; Luke 7:26-27);
👉he greatest of all men that lived (Luke 7:28);
👉 perfect witness and messenger (John 1:6-8, 23, 29-34);
👉 fearless preacher (Mark 6:18; Luke 3:7);
👉artyred for the sake of truth (Mark 6:17-28)
👉 very selfless and humble man (Matt 3:4,11,14; Acts 13:25).

With this identity enriched with the above qualities, John the Baptist was able to advance the Kingdom of God with the conversion of sinners. It was for that purpose that he was born and never deviated from that focus. He patiently waited on God to direct him (cf. Luke 1:80) and “the hand of the Lord was with him” (Luke 1:66).

Note that the name he was given was strange to everyone – no one bears it in their place yet it must be given to him because he equally has a special message.

That is the message we must embrace today as we celebrate the Solemnity of the Birthday of John the Baptist. We need to be able to discern God’s purpose for us and stick to it for our own salvation and for the glory of God.

What identity do we possess today as followers of Christ? Does it promote Christianity or work against Christianity?

As Christians, let us bear abundant and good fruit for Christ by living the kind of lives that draw people to Christ and not draw them away from him.

May we bear the fruits of patience and faithfulness so as to allow God to use us as witnesses for him in our life here on earth, and then live with him and the saints in his Kingdom in the end. Amen.

Have a restful weekend with the Lord. Peace be with you.