PM: Special Edition--Solemnity Of The Nativity Of St. John The Baptist

This is one of the three actual birthdays the Church celebrates in her liturgical calendar (the other two being the Blessed Virgin Mary's and Jesus Christ's). The bridge between the Old and New Testaments, the herald of the Messiah, the one unfit to loosen his Savior's sandals, we honor the voice of he who cried out in the wilderness.

From my mother's womb the Lord called me by my name; and he made my mouth like unto a sharp sword; he protected me in the shadow of his hand, and he made me as his chosen arrow.

V. It is good to give thanks to the Lord, and to praise your name, O Most High.

Is. 49:1, 2; V. Psalm 91:1

The Introit prepares us for the First Reading. It is such an accurate description of what his life on earth would be like. And is not the first phrase a hint of the Visitation?

Before I formed you in the womb, I knew you, and before you came out of the womb, I consecrated you.

V. The Lord put forth his hand and touched my mouth, and he said unto me:  (Repeat antiphon.)

Jer. 1:5; V. 9

The Gradual also hints at the Visitation. When he leapt for joy in Elizabeth's womb when Mary came, could it be Christ ordaining him for his work? These are also the words we can recall for our vocation as the People of God.

And you, child, will be called the prophet of the Most High; you will go before the Lord to make ready his ways.

Lk. 1:76

Used for both the Alleluia and Communion (the Latin in the Communion uses a different form of Lord), this answers the question posed in the Gospel. It is the first of the three Lukan canticles, used in Lauds/Morning Prayer. Benedictus Dominus Deus Israel--Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel.

The righteous man shall flourish like the palm tree; he shall grow up like a cedar of Lebanon.

Ps. 91:13

If the words of the Offertory seem familiar, they should be; the verse is the same for the Introit for the Solemnity of St. Joseph. Because he was firmly rooted in Christ, he could be fearless in his proclaiming the coming of the Messiah and humble when they met "again" at Jesus' baptism. This distant relative of the Lord was as close to Him as he could be.

"Amen, I say to you, among those born of women there has been none greater than John the Baptist; yet the least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he." (Matthew 11:11) John's martyrdom secured his place in Heaven; may our dying to Christ so as to rise with Him be made manifest. Like John, let us "prepare the way of the Lord".