Homily --- the Solemnity
of the Birth of John the Baptist- Fr. Michael Ufok Udoekpo
- Isaiah 49:1-6
- Ps 139:1B-3, 13-14AB, 14c-15
- Acts 13:22-26
- Luke 1:57-66,80
Sharing in John
the Baptist’s Prophetic Calling
Today we
celebrate the Birth of John the Baptist, son of Zechariah and Elizabeth, a God fearing
prophet, whose birth story we have just heard in today’s Gospel of Luke ( Luke
1:57-66,80)- a Gospel of promise and fulfillment, a Gospel of salvation. In
this Gospel- story John was not just the last of Israel’ prophets who
prepared the way for Christ our Savior,
but like most of Israel’s prophets, his birth, calling and mission were not by
chance. They were planned and designed by God, to fit into God’s plan of
salvation. His birth and mission were meant
to be a lesson for us today- in our humility, in our service, in our callings, in
our endurance, patience, in our courage and in our dedication in serving God
and one another.
Remember, prophets
were called and sent. Prophets were God’s mouthpiece. They were God fearing
people, who worshiped one God as we heard in the stories of Elijah/Elisha at weekday
masses, this past week. Prophets were God’s messengers. Israel’s prophets interpreted
the will of God. They acted as society’s conscience—as defenders of the poor
and voiceless, intermediaries and prayer warriors. They were servants of God who
often would allow themselves to be seen as those truly called- as were Amos, Isaiah, and Jeremiah. Prophets
were guided by divine providence to plead and intercede for all. They were good
leaders who also cherish the place of humility in leaders. Some of them were
very creative and fearless too. They
loved peace and promoted justice. They transmitted God’s love and divine
promises. They were also risk-takers and ready to suffer, or even die, for the
sake of truth. John the Baptist whose birthday we celebrate today was one them.
We know today
in our parishes and communities that there are dedicated and God fearing people,
priests, religious and lay faithful --- called them modern prophets, sitting by
our sides, or living in our neighborhood,—think about that, and look around! What
do you make of Mother Teresa, Oscar Romero, John Paul II, Benedict XVI, or Pope
Francis? We are called to be prophets!
In today’s Gospel,
Elizabeth, the mother of John the Baptist, we are told, providentially
conceived her at old age—when people thought that she was barren. She celebrated
John’ birth and thank God for His divine mercy. His father would have named him
Zechariah, but, still by divine providence they named him John, to the amazement
of everyone in Israel. John “grew up and became strong in spirit” (Luke 1:80).
Generally, his parents
were very thankful to God. His Father Zechariah praised God in the Benedictus (Luke
1:68-79), and recognized that God has raised a mighty savior in the house of
David. In his prophetic ministry John prophesied with humility. He acknowledged
Christ as the Lord and knew that the one, Christ, coming after him was higher
than him. He was only there to prepare the way for our savior because he was
being sent. Even though he baptized with water, he prophesied that Christ will
baptized with water and the Holy Spirit.
In other words,
he saw himself as a servant to his own people. He stood on the prophetic
tradition of Israel’s Servant of God (Ebed Yhwh) heard in today’s first
reading Isaiah 49:1-6. In Isaiah 49, no matter the circumstances of exile and
loss of the land, experience of pains, and afflictions, injustices and oppressions
of their time, through his successive prophets, including John the Baptist, God
will live up to the covenant promises he made to Abraham and David his servants. God will free
Israel. He will send them a servant, who will suffer for them; who will free
them. He will make them ‘a light to the nations, so that his salvation may
reach to the ends of the earth.”
John the
Baptist spent his prophetic ministry, serving, and pointing Israel to this
light to the nations, namely, Christ our Savior. He is the one St. Paul preaches
about in the synagogue, in today’s 2nd reading, Acts of 13:22-26. Paul
notes that God protected Israel in Egypt. He led them through the desert into
the Promised Land. He set up the judges till the time of Samuel when Israel asked
for a King, and so God provided them with Saul and David. From David’s
descendant, God gave Israel a savior; Jesus Christ as promised (Acts 13:23). In Acts 13: 24, Paul says, “My brothers,
sons of the family of Abraham, and those others among you who are God-fearing,
to us this word of salvation has been sent.”
Our birth is
also a gift from God. It’s a calling. We
have been called and sent words of salvation. By our baptism, we are called to
share and participate in the prophetic mission of John the Baptist- bringing
people to Christ and Christ to people; including our children, grandchildren,
friends, and family members and to those we share neighborhoods with. We are
invited to spread the kingdom of God, to preach God’s grace, his tender mercy
and love, from our respective locations, and culture, to people we meet in our
daily lives, especially the poor, the voiceless, migrants and immigrants—no matter
the challenges.
Reflection
Questions:
- What have we learned from the birth of John the Baptist? Do we see our lives and callings as gifts from God- as a result of his love and mercy?
- In what way do we share in the prophetic mission especially the type lived by John the Baptist and our role models?
- Could you think of few modern prophets in your faith community?
