John's Birth and the Great Changes

GOSPEL THOUGHTS

*Ordinary Season: Twelfth Week : Monday*

*Solemnity : The Nativity of St John the Baptist*

*Gospel : Lk 1:57-66, 80*

*First Reading : Is 49:1-6*

*SECOND READING - Acts 13:22-26*

*John's Birth and the Great Changes*

Johns birth brought about great Changes, which can be reflected as we celebrate that Nativity of St John the Baptist

*1) John's birth and Zachariah's Speech impediment*

First of all the birth of John, brought about a great change in Zachariah. 

Zachariah who was not able to speak, was able to speak immediately after the birth of John 

John's Birth is a great occasion to speak, to praise, to glorify God

Let the birth of John help us to praise, thank and glorify through our mouth 

*2) John's Birth and Motherhood of Elizabeth*

John's birth hails the motherhood of Elizabeth 

Elizabeth was not able to conceive for long years 

God heard the prayers of the couple and finally she was able to conceive and give birth to John

John's Birth took away the pains of barrenness of Elizabeth and she was blessed with the Motherhood. She became a mother of great prophet

*3) John's Birth and Grace of God*

The Word meaning of John is *God is gracious*

God's grace was revealed through the birth of John 

The Grace of God is reflected in the life and mission of John 

The grace of God is needed for a holy life and for our salvation

Through the preaching of John and the mission, God's grace is imparted to all the children of God 

*4) John's birth and the Messiah*

The primary purpose of  John's birth was to prepare a way for Messiah 

John had a great mission of preparing the way of Messiah

John's birth was like a new beginning for the arrival and mission  of Messiah 

So we need to pay attention to the nativity of John the Baptist and the preparation for the arrival of Messiah

*5) John's Birth and the Prophetic Mission*

The birth and life of mission once again highlights the importance of the prophetic mission in our life 

The prophetic mission of John consisted in fighting against the injustice, condemning the falsehood, upholding the truth, fighting against the corrupt system and living a simple, upright and a Holy life 

Such a prophetic mission acquired a new significance with the Birth of John 

*6) John birth and Mission*

John's birth also indicates the importance of Mission in our life 

Mission is one of the important things in our life 

Mission which consists the practice of Gospel values and the proclamation the Gospel values 

John's birth gave a new significance for this mission and proclamation

Life has a mission, which we can learn from the birth and life of John

*Think about it*

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

*Fr Maxim DSouza*

*Jeppu Seminary*

*Mangalore*