The Mission of St John the Baptist

Gospel Thoughts*

*Ordinary Season : 12th Week - Thursday*

*The Mission of St John the Baptist*

*Readings of the Vigil Mass*

*GOSPEL -  Luke 1:5-17*

*FIRST READING - Jeremiah 1:4-10*

*SECOND READING 1 Peter 1:8-12*

*The Nativity of St John the Baptist*

*1) Mission of John the Baptist in the Gospel*

The Gospel of the day, gives us the glimpses of the mission of St John the Baptist

Various dimensions of the mission of John is highlighted in the Gospel, which can be analysed in the following way 

*2) Various Dimensions of the Mission of John*

*A) He will turn many of the children of Israel to the Lord their God.*

This is one of the main missions of John. 

Turning means a kind of Conversion, which leads one to give praise to the Lord

In fact through His teaching John turned the hearts and minds of those people towards God and Jesus. 

*B) He will go before him in the spirit and power of Elijah*

The above sentence speaks about the importance of preparation

As the Messiah was about to come, John's mission was to prepare the people for Jesus' coming 

Again we see that John had the Spirit and Power of Elijah, to prepare the mission of the Lord 

When some one works in the Spirit and power of Elijah, the mission becomes becomes not only important but also powerful. 

So it is very important that we also should work in the power and spirit of Elijah.

*C) The mission to turn the hearts toward their children*

The mission also indicates the responsibility towards the neighbour. 

As Gods first commandment, says about the Love of God and Love of Neighbour.

*D) To bring the Disobedient to the understanding of the righteous*

This is also very much necessary in understanding the mission of John the Baptist. 

To bring disobedient people to the right track is not easy, because they don't listen to the others very easily 

So one must work hard. John was specially skilled person to bring the Disobedient people to the understanding of the righteous. 

*E) To prepare to a people fit for the Lord.”*

This is the ultimate goal of John's mission 

Infact, John through his rigorous mission prepared a people who were ready to accept the Messiah. 

Though His prepration he changed the hearts and minds of people to see the saviour of their life 

*3) What is My Mission*

After reflecting the mission dimensions of John, it is very important to reflect about my own mission 

As a responsible citizen of this society, I have the obligation to play the role of John, first of all in ones own house 

Secondly I must act like John, in order to prepare the people those who are living in and arround me.

John's mission is very relevant in the Society, in changing the hearts and minds of people to prepare them to experience Jesus 

*Am I ready to work like John??* 

*Think about it*

*God bless you and your family. Praying for you and your dear ones*

*Fr Maxim Dsouza*

*Jeppu Seminary*

*Mangalore*