Just a note, thank you to many of you who sometimes write back asking questions or looking for clarification. I appreciate that and welcome your comments. I will try to respond to any inquiry. Blessings to all of you.
Here is link to our readings for the day: http://usccb.org/bible/readings/062420-day.cfm
The Nativity of St John the Baptist
What a remarkable day this is. The birthday of St John the Baptist. In the Church calendar we do not celebrate many birthdays. Only three. For Jesus, of course, December 25 we celebrate His birthday, but we also celebrate His conception on March 25, known as the Annunciation. For Mary, we celebrate her conception on December 8, this feast known as the Immaculate Conception. Then her birthday is on September 8. We also celebrate her Assumption into heaven on August 15. As for John, we also recognize his passion, which is celebrated on August 29. As for other saints, we celebrate their feast day on the day of their death, their entering into eternal life.
The Old Testament prophecy is that when the Messiah is to come, Elijah would return to announce the Messiah’s return. We see in John the traits and strong faith of Elijah personified. We recognize John as Elijah returned to announce the coming of the Messiah. Even the way John comes into the world indicates the special mission he will have. He is announced by an angel to Zechariah. Zechariah and Elizabeth are beyond childbearing years. He is given the name John, which is not a name in his family. John recognizes the Messiah while he is still in the womb of his mother and Jesus is in the womb of Mary. John recognized his mission.
Do you recognize your mission? Let us see. God knew you before you were born. You were baptized and through the grace of the sacrament became a child of God. You were born into a family that did their best to raise you and introduce you to the faith. For most of you, you were confirmed, thereby granted the grace to carry out the mission God has given you. My friends, we all have a mission. It is to proclaim God. Some of us can be as energetic as John, some of us will make great sacrifices as some of the martyred saints, and many of us will live our lives sharing the faith as best we can. We are all part of this special mission.
May the Lord bless you, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen
Fr Ed Anderson
Email: fatheredanderson[at]gmail.com
Phone: 715.817.3736
St. Joseph Church – Rice Lake
Holy Trinity – Haugen
St. John the Evangelist – Birchwood
Our Lady of Lourdes – Dobie
