One of
my favorite heroes, whose birthday we celebrate today, is John the
Baptist.He is called
“the baptist” because he invited people to be immersed in the
Jordan River waters as a sign of repentance, a change from one's old ways to
a right relationship with God.
The
Gospel according to Luke sums up John’s mission in the canticle or
song of Zechariah, John’s father: “you will go before the Lord to
prepare his ways.” Later on, we recognize John as the one who
prepares the way for the Messiah, Jesus of Nazareth, the bridge
between the two covenants that created that special relationship
between God and us: that of the Hebrews and that of Jesus Christ.
John
lived a rugged, ascetic life-style. His message was very simple. He
proclaimed what the prophet Micah had begged the Hebrews to do centuries before: do
what is right, love goodness, and walk humbly with your God.
“Repent,” John cried out; “orient your life to God and the
things of God.”
John
pointed to Jesus as the light, the Lord, the One to whom we owe our
ultimate allegiance, the “passover” or sacrificial lamb of God
through whose blood we have God’s eternal life. John is indeed the
herald of Jesus; and for speaking the truth to power, King Herod, John was
imprisoned and executed.
Like
Jesus, whose parents Joseph and Mary fled with him as immigrants to
Egypt (Matthew 2) to protect him, John the Baptist dedicated his own
life to God’s ways.
The
Book of the Acts of the Apostles alludes to the story of our
salvation. John the Baptist urges us to orient our lives to God so
that we can welcome into our own hearts the Messiah, Jesus, the Word
become flesh, the glory and presence of God among us.
John
challenges us to be messengers of Jesus by the manner in which we
live: so that others can “encounter” the living God who became
flesh in Jesus and is alive in our midst by the power of the Spirit.
Through our own hearts, the grace and favor of God can empower others.
There’s
no better place to begin preparing “the Lord’s way” than in our
own families.
First,
continue to create a better sense of togetherness, closeness and
care. Keep in touch personally; be hospitable. Participate in Mass
and special family events. Communicate with one another; spend time
together; share good news as well as bad; above all, keep your word
and build up trust with one another.
Second,
take control of family life. Many activities can divide a family –
activities valuable in themselves, but if not checked, can rob
families of time together.
And
finally, accept and appreciate family members for who they are. The
purpose of family is to nurture children in a secure and loving environment so that they can mature into responsible adults.
This
summer, like John the Baptist, prepare the way for the Lord,
especially in your families.
