John the Baptist: called by God before birth

 



Thursday of the 2nd week of Advent 


Isaiah 41:13-20

Psalm 144(145):1,9-13a

Matthew 11:11-15


In today’s Gospel, Jesus praises John the Baptist as the great prophet who fulfilled the prophecy of Elijah's return (Malachi 4:5). God gave John his name and mission, and made him a joyful, gracious child to prepare the way for the Lord. He was humble, courageous, truthful, and willing to die for God's kingdom. His mission was planned by God before birth, reminding us that each of us has a divine plan. John fulfilled his role by preparing for the Savior. How do you see your role in sharing Jesus' Good News?


Reflect on being called by God before birth and how you can remind others of God's grace. Despite enemies' anger and violence, God will do what He promises. Like John, let us be humble and steadfast witnesses to Christ. May God grant us grace to live out our calling—to witness the Good News and prepare for Jesus' coming. May you be great before God and others. May St. John the Baptist pray for you. Amen. 



God bless you and your day.


Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Image
  REPORTING LIVE FROM ROME GOOD SHEPHERD, I AM BLESSED AND SO THANKFUL!! (BEARING WITNESS TO A RARE OCCASION) 4th Sunday of Easter  Acts 13:14,​43-52 Psalm 99(100):1-3,5 Apocalypse 7:9,​14-17 John 10:27-30 May 8! What an unforgettable day! I had just wrapped up the final lecture of the day at the Pontifical University of St. Thomas Aquinas in Rome with my thesis moderator, Professor Lewis Ayres. This is the same prestigious university that counts St. Pope John Paul II and Cardinal Francis Prevost among its illustrious alumni!  On my way home, I called my mom to wish her a Happy Birthday, reminding her of my dad’s passing on the same day over a decade ago. We had a good laugh about a seagull perched near the chimney of the Sistine Chapel when, out of nowhere, the news broke—“Habemus papam!” The Cardinal Deacon proclaimed it loud and clear! There was huge traffic and everyone started running to the square.  Just an hour later, the new pope, Leo XIV, emerged onto the gr...
Read more
Image
  Saint Francis de Sales, Bishop, Doctor  Hebrews 8:6-13 Psalm 84(85):8,10-14 Mark 3:13-19 GOD HAS CHOSEN YOU FOR A PURPOSE  Today the Church celebrates the memorial of St. Francis de Sales, a figure emblematic of profound prayer and spirituality. His teachings emphasize the essential nature of remaining in divine love, encapsulated in his assertion that effective preaching is rooted in love itself. In contemporary discourse, there is an inclination to simplify Christianity to mere moral teachings, often overshadowing the necessity of an authentic, contemplative encounter with God. The Vatican Council's document Gaudium et Spes articulates this relationship succinctly: “The root reason for human dignity lies in humanity’s call to communion with God. From the very circumstance of our origin, we are already invited to converse with God. For man would not exist were he not created by God’s love and constantly preserved by it; and he cannot live fully according to truth unles...
Read more
Image
  21st Sunday in Ordinary Time  Isaiah 66:18-21 Psalm 116(117) Hebrews 12:5-7,​11-13 Luke 13:22-30 NO MATTER WHERE YOU'RE COMING FROM, STEP THROUGH THE NARROW DOOR AND EMBRACE YOUR SALVATION! In the time of our Lord, the Jewish people—especially their leaders—held a profound belief that they were the cherished chosen ones of God. However, our Lord stepped onto the scene with a revolutionary message that shook their foundations. He boldly challenged the notion that the kingdom of heaven would simply be their exclusive domain. In today's gospel, He issued a striking warning: many will strive to enter, yet not all will succeed! And here’s the thrilling twist—individuals from every corner of the earth, from the east and west, from the north and south, will take their seats at the grand feast in the kingdom of God! Our Lord was on a mission to broaden horizons and elevate expectations. This extraordinary journey of expanding the kingdom didn’t stop with Him—it has been carried on b...
Read more