June 24 — Solemnity of the Birth of John the Baptist: reflection

Theme: Nothing is impossible for God

Readings: Is 49:1–6; Acts 13:22–26; Lk 1:57–66,80

Today, the Church celebrates the solemnity of the birth of John the Baptist, forerunner of Jesus, a man whose birth ushered in a new era in the history of our salvation. With the birth of John, the era of the fulfilment of the promises of old about the coming of the Messiah began, bringing an end to the era of promises from the prophets of old.

John not only prophesied about the coming of the Messiah, he prepared the hearts of the people to receive Him when He came by baptizing them for the forgiveness of their sins and he also introduced Him (the Messiah) to the world that had patiently waited for His coming.

The birth of John the Baptist and his naming were marked by miracles. His birth was miraculous because his father, Zechariah, was already old and his mother, Elizabeth, had already passed the age of childbearing and had been declared barren by the people (Lk 1:18), but nothing is impossible for God. Whenever the time for the fulfilment of His promises comes, God can even use people or means that have been written off by humans to perform his wonders for us and to further His course on earth.

Therefore, we should not give up even if our present conditions do not have the potentials to lead us to the future we dream about; we should not give up even if our conditions have been declared impossible by men. When the time of the fulfilment of God’s promises to us comes, all that have been declared impossible will become possible, because nothing is impossible for God. The birth and naming of John the Baptist are testimonies of what God can do with situations that have declared impossible by men.

May our God of impossibilities direct your path this new week. Amen.

Fr Isaac Chima.