24 June 2021 The Birthday of Saint John the Baptist
The Lord called me before I was born,
while I was in my mother’s womb he named me.
He made my mouth like a sharp sword,
in the shadow of his hand he hid me;
he made me a polished arrow,
in his quiver he hid me away.
Isaiah 49:1-6, NRSV
These words from one of the “Songs of the Suffering Servant” are often interpreted as a foretelling of the Messiah; an individual called to be part of God’s plan from the beginning of his life and called to a life of service. The choice of this reading for today’s feast reminds us of the share that John the Baptist had in the ministry of Christ, the Messiah. He also was named before his birth chosen and given a task of service to perform. Like a sharp sword, John’s words of repentance would have cut his listeners to the heart. Like Jesus, he lived a life of obscurity kept at readiness in God’s “quiver” until, like a carefully prepared arrow, he was ready for his service to be required.
- What do you think helped John to accomplish the task set for him?
- Who else does God call and name from their conception?
Reflect on the service to which you have been called.
