Daily Readings for June 24, 2018

Solemnity of the Nativity of John the Baptist

1st READING

The four Servant Songs of Isaiah are prophecies of the coming Servant of the people — Jesus Christ. These songs also speak about life as a disciple of Jesus, as servants of the Servant of God and His people. Jesus’ life of service is a model for us. He suffered in order to serve, and so will we as we answer the call of discipleship.

Isaiah 49:1-6

1 Hear me, O coastlands, listen, O distant peoples. The Lord called me from birth from my mother’s womb he gave me my name. 2 He made of me a sharp-edged sword and concealed me in the shadow of his arm. He made me a polished arrow; in his quiver he hid me. 3 You are my servant, he said to me, Israel, through whom I show my glory. 4 Though I thought I had toiled in vain, and for nothing, uselessly spent my strength, yet my reward is with the Lord, my recompense is with my God. 5 For now the Lord has spoken who formed me as his servant from the womb, that Jacob may be brought back to him and Israel gathered to him; and I am made glorious in the sight of the Lord, and my God is now my strength! 6 It is too little, he says, for you to be my servant, to raise up the tribes of Jacob, and restore the survivors of Israel; I will make you a light to the nations, that my salvation may reach to the ends of the earth.

P S A L M 

Psalm 139:1-3, 13-14, 14-15

R: I praise you, for I am wonderfully made.

1 O Lord, you have probed me, you know me: 2 you know when I sit and when I stand; you understand my thoughts from afar. 3 My journeys and my rest you scrutinize, with all my ways you are familiar. (R) 13 Truly you have formed my inmost being; you knit me in my mother’s womb. 14 I give you thanks that I am fearfully, wonderfully made; wonderful are your works. (R) My soul also you knew full well; 15 nor was my frame unknown to you when I was made in secret, when I was fashioned in the depths of the earth. (R)

2nd READING

God raised up many fearless men and women disciples in the past. He continues to do so today and we are called to be part of His new crop of disciples. Let us be thankful to be part of the great tradition of patriarchs, prophets, and saints. This is our history and destiny to follow Jesus. May we allow God to use us to further His Kingdom here on earth.

Acts 13:22-26

22 In those days, Paul said: “God raised up David as their king; of him God testified, ‘I have found David, son of Jesse, a man after my own heart; he will carry out my every wish. 23 From this man’s descendants God, according to his promise, has brought to Israel a savior, Jesus. 24 John heralded his coming by proclaiming a baptism of repentance to all the people of Israel; 25 and as John was completing his course, he would say, ‘What do you suppose that I am? I am not he. Behold, one is coming after me; I am not worthy to unfasten the sandals of his feet.’ 26 My brothers, son of the family of Abraham, and those others among you who are God-fearing, to us this word of salvation has been sent.”

GOSPEL 

There’s more to “John” than just a name – it also shows what kind of man Elizabeth and Zechariah’s child will become and his God-given mission. In the Scriptures, a new name signifies that a major role will be given to that person. The Holy Spirit has the power to transform a person from a wilting and withering flower in the heat of the midday sun, to a fearless preacher who proclaims the Gospel in and out of season.

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION

You, child, will be called prophet of the Most High, for you will go before the Lord to prepare his way.

Luke 1:57-66, 80

57 When the time arrived for Elizabeth to have her child she gave birth to a son. 58 Her neighbors and relatives heard that the Lord had shown his great mercy toward her, and they rejoiced with her. 59 When they came on the eighth day to circumcise the child, they were going to call him Zechariah after his father, 60 but his mother said in reply, “No. He will be called John.” 61 But they answered her, “There is no one among your relatives who has this name.” 62 So they made signs, asking his father what he wished him to be called. 63 He asked for a tablet and wrote, “John is his name,” and all were amazed. 64 Immediately his mouth was opened, his tongue freed, and he spoke blessing God. 65 Then fear came upon all their neighbors, and all these matters were discussed throughout the hill country of Judea. 66 All who heard these things took them to heart, saying, “What, then, will this child be?” For surely the hand of the Lord was with him. 80 The child grew and became strong in spirit, and he was in the desert until the day of his manifestation to Israel.

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