SOLEMNITY OF THE BIRTH OF JOHN THE BAPTIST
MIRACLE CHILD
We celebrate today one of only
3 birthdays in our church calendar. We rejoice at the birth of Christ in
December, of his Blessed Mother in September, and today, in June, we recall the
birth of John the Baptist.
John was an "unexpected child." His
parents were long past their prime, already resigned to be a fruitless marriage
in their advanced age and physiological incapacity or defects. So, John, though
unexpected, became a "miracle child." He was a surprise to his elderly parents,
to their relatives, and to the people around them who heard of the good news.
And what a miracle John would still
be as he continued to live under the influence of the Spirit as he grew, as he
embraced his ministry, and as he fulfilled his mission. Destined for greatness,
he truly attained perfection in life, as also in death. Acquaintance with John
however, does not have familiarity, friendship and relationship with John as
its goal. We celebrate John, not for his sake, but for the sake of the One he
served so well, his cousin and master, Jesus Christ.
The fulfillment of John’s whole
life is to be found in his preparatory role in the coming of the Messiah, and in
his testimonial role in bearing witness to the true Lamb of God who takes away
all sins. The miracle baby did not produce miracles himself. Instead he paved
the way and offered his whole life for the author of miracles, Jesus Christ the
Lord.
John’s life did not revolve
around himself. He viewed himself as responsible for another, greater than he,
to whom he must ultimately yield. John was like a parent who struggles hard to
prepare her children’s future; like a mentor who hones the skills of someone
who will earn the medal; like a servant who makes it easy for his master to
accomplish his tasks. The miracle of John, his greatness, is precisely in this
humility and willingness to serve and assist the life of another, unmindful of
recognition, applause or reward.
While we legitimately aspire for
greatness and for personal fulfillment, don’t we sometimes hear God’s call to
work under someone, to collaborate rather than spearhead, to give without
expecting any return, to sacrifice even our deepest desire so that others may
succeed? Herein lies the miracle of service, participation, cooperation and promotion not of selfish interest, but of the good of others. There are many silent and unknown John the Baptists today in our
homes, schools, offices, hospitals, convents, parishes and neighborhood.
Like the miracle child that is John,
may we be willing to become miracle men and women for others too.
