June 24

The Nativity of Saint John the Baptist

Mass During the Day

Readings

First Reading
Is 49:1–6

Responsorial Psalm
Ps 139:1–3, 13–14, 14–15

Second Reading
Acts 13:22–26

Gospel
Lk 1:57–66, 80

Meditation on Today’s Readings

Taken from the Vatican II Sunday and Weekday Missal
Written by Celia Sirois

That the second servant song of Isaiah has been chosen as the first reading for today demonstrates the versatility of the image. In four poems (42:1–4; 49:1–6; 50:4–9; 52:13–53:12) the prophet presents a servant of God whose identity is not specified. As a result, the poems are easily appropriated. Christians have tended to apply them to Jesus, but today’s selection suggests a connection with John the Baptist. This poem describes the servant’s commissioning as God’s prophet. Having been called from his mother’s womb, he has been honed as a “sharp-edged sword,” to be an effective instrument of God’s word. But he is also concealed for a time, like John in the desert, waiting for the day of his manifestation to Israel.

In today’s Gospel the birth of John, whom Paul describes as herald of the coming of Jesus, is briefly told. The story revolves around the naming of the child. Zechariah’s announcement that “John is his name” becomes, in Luke’s scheme, the sign that he who doubted the angel’s words has come to believe at last.

The copyright for the Sunday Missal Introductions is:
Copyright (c) 2001, Daughters of St. Paul
The copyright for the Weekday Missal Introduction is:
Copyright (c) 2002, Daughters of St. Paul