Our Lady of Guadalupe

Date: June, 24

“A man named John was sent from God. He came for testimony, to testify to the light, so that all might believe through him. He was not the light, but came to testify to the light.” (John 1:6-8)

Only three birthdays are celebrated on the Church’s liturgical calendar, the Nativity of Our Lord (December 25), the Nativity of His Mother (September 8), and the Nativity of His forerunner, John the Baptist, on June 24.

St. John the Baptist was set apart from the womb to prepare the way of the Lord and was a significant figure connected to the Incarnation and the Redemption.

The Church honors him because of his role in preparing the way for Christ.

• “This is the one about whom it is written: ‘Behold, I am sending my messenger ahead of you; he will prepare your way before you.’” (Matthew 11:10)
• It was him that the prophet Isaiah had spoken when he said: “A voice of one crying out in the desert, ‘Prepare the way of the Lord, make straight his paths.” (Matthew 3: 3)

PRAYER 

Saint John the Baptist, you were conceived by God’s special grace and given to parents who were barren and advanced in years. Through your conception and birth, God spoke to the world that He can do anything He so chooses and bring forth His saving grace simply because He wills to do so.

Please pray for me, that I will more fully understand the role you played in the history of salvation and be more open to all that God has revealed to the world through your holy life. Saint John the Baptist, pray for me. Jesus, I trust in You.