Tag Archives: John the Baptist

TRUST IN GOD

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Saturday 19th December

Reflection: Luke 1: 5-25

TRUST IN GOD

Our lives are often filled with moments of uncertainty. Ranging from a few minutes or hours to several years or even decades, these times of uncertainty can cause us to question our hope in God’s love for us and His power to meet our needs and wants. Zechariah and Elizabeth, the parents of John the Baptist were righteous and worthy in the sight of God (cf Luke 1:6) yet they were childless. They had experienced decades of uncertainty, hoping that someday, God will give them a child. Yet, nothing happened and as they grew old they lost any hope of child bearing (Luke 1: 18).

Indeed, uncertain moments of uncertainty in our lives can make us give up on God especially when we have waited for so long. Zechariah and Elizabeth remind us however, that we must not lose our fear of God, our faithfulness to Him and our readiness to serve Him. The couple continued to live in righteousness and Zechariah continued his priestly ministry. Little did they know that God had greater plans for them. God desired that they would have a part to play in His salvation plan for man; for from them was to come the greatest of the prophets, one who would prepare the way for Christ and make Him known to the people when He came. And when did God reveal this? Just as Zechariah was at his duty post, ministering before God.

Dear friend, in what area of life are you waiting on God? What periods of uncertainty are you currently going through? Are there certain needs and desires you have been praying about for which the response seems delayed? Please do not lose faith. God has better plans for us than we can ever have for ourselves. Trust Him and remain faithful and then like John the Baptist’s parents and like Manoah and his wife, Samson’s parents whom we encounter in today’s first reading, we will realise that God is indeed faithful. With the Psalmist let us pray:

PRAYER: It is you O Lord, who are my hope, my trust, O Lord since my youth. On you I have leaned from my birth, from my mother’s womb you have been my help. Amen.

KNOW YOUR FAITH: 507 – What happens if you find that prayer does not help?

Prayer does not seek superficial success but rather the will of God and intimacy with him. God’s apparent silence is itself an invitation to take a step farther—in total devotion, boundless faith, endless expectation. Anyone who prays must allow God the complete freedom to speak whenever he wants, to grant whatever he wants, and to give himself however he wants.

 

HIDE A TREASURE: “Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask in prayer, believe that you receive it, and you will.” Mark 11:24 RSV-CE

Readings for Today: Judges 13: 2-7, 24-25; Psalm 71: 3-6, 16-17; Luke 1: 5-25

 

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KEEP UP YOUR FAITH

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Wednesday 16th December – Wednesday of the 3rd week of Advent

Reflection: Luke 7: 19-23

KEEP UP YOUR FAITH

“…happy is the man who does not lose faith in me.”

A Jew is baptised and becomes a Christian refers to himself as a “fulfilled Jew”. This stems from the knowledge that Jesus is the long awaited Messiah, whose coming was proclaimed by the prophets. Though the Jews received the promise of redemption, most of them unfortunately did not recognise the Messiah when He came and until this day, still await the salvation God promised in Jesus.

Is there something we can learn from this? While the Jews expected a political Saviour who would free them from their Roman oppressors, Jesus came, preaching the good news and a friend of the poor and sinners. They could not reconcile Jesus with the expectations in their minds and even John the Baptist the very one who prepared the way for Christ became confused and unsure of himself at some point.

Beloved, are there ways in which God is working in our lives but we are blinded from recognising Him because our own expectations are not being met? Is God revealing Himself to you in the most unexpected way? Today, ask the Lord to clear all your doubts like Jesus did for John the Baptist. Ask Him to open your eyes so you may recognise His hand at work in your life and circumstances even in ways you do not expect. Jesus pronounces a blessing on you if you do not lose faith in Him. Hold on to your faith beloved, God is ever faithful to His promises.

PRAYER: Lord Jesus, help me to be open and receptive to the various ways you decide to work through me. Amen.

KNOW YOUR FAITH: YOUCAT 73 – Why is Jesus called “Christ”?

The brief formula “Jesus is the Christ” expresses the core of the Christian faith: Jesus, the simple carpenter’s son from Nazareth, is the long-awaited Messiah and Saviour. Both the Greek word “Christos” and the Hebrew word “Messiah” mean “the Anointed One”. In Israel kings, priests, and prophets were anointed. The apostles learned that Jesus was anointed “with the Holy Spirit” (Acts 10:38). We are called Christians after Christ, as an expression of our exalted vocation

HIDE A TREASURE: “How happy are those who have no doubts about me.” Luke 7:23 GNB

Today’s Readings: Isaiah 45: 6-8 18, 21-25; Psalm 85: 9-14; Lk 7: 19-23

HIS NAME IS JOHN

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Wednesday 24th June -Solemnity of the Birthday of St John the Baptist

Reflection: Reflection: Luke 1: 57-66, 80

HIS NAME IS JOHN

Like it is in the African setting, it was a common practice among the Jews to name a first born son after his father. This was the intention of the friends and neighbours of Zechariah and Elizabeth who considered it an honour to name this “special” child after his father. But his mother spoke up “he is to be called John”, the name the Angel had given and this was confirmed by his father.

Dear friends, God knows us individually, calls each of us by name and has a specific plan for the lives of every one of us. He has a certain task for you to carry out in this world; a task no one else has been saddled with.  Regardless of how influential our parents may be, their purpose in life is different from ours hence we must not be satisfied in being anyone’s “shadow.” Though both Zechariah and John attained holiness, their paths to holiness and their God given purpose differed.

Today, we celebrate the birth of St John the Baptist, the forerunner of our Lord Jesus Christ. John was born for a purpose: to prepare the people for the coming of the Messiah and to point Him out to Israel when he came. He lived to fulfil his purpose. God has a plan for you too and life will be a waste if you do not fulfil this purpose. Each day, sincerely ask God to reveal His plan for your life and be committed to living out your purpose.

PRAYER: Lord, I open my heart to You; please help me to discover your purpose for me so that I can live each day of my life in fulfilment of that purpose. Amen.

KNOW YOUR FAITH: YOUCAT 201 – What is the significance of receiving a name in Baptism?

Through the name that we receive in Baptism God tells us: “I have called you by name, you are mine” (Is 43:1).
In Baptism a person is not dissolved into an anonymous divinity, but rather is affirmed precisely in his individuality. To be baptized by a name signifies that God knows me; he says Yes to me and accepts me forever in my unrepeatable uniqueness.

HIDE A TREASURE: “For I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope” Jeremiah 29:11 RSV-CE

Today’s Readings: Isaiah 49: 1-6; Psalm 139: 1-3, 13-15; Acts 13: 22-26; Luke 1: 57-66, 80