Light to the Nations

The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary for the Solemnity of the Nativity of Saint John the Baptist present both the extraordinary and expected in the message described by the mission of the “Baptist”. The understanding of the mission of the servant of God from the book of Isaiah is the mission both of Great Prophet and present believer. The light of the intimate relationship with the Divine is to be spread to the ends of the earth. The praise of God by the psalmist focuses on the immanent Presence that is experienced within as One who knows the person in complete detail and for all time. This relationship is the message for the nations. The words from the Acts of the Apostles outline the salvation history in which John the Baptist is the herald for the Incarnation of the Word in Jesus. The ancient promises of Covenant are maintained through John and Jesus. The Gospel of Luke sets the stage for the Great Prophetic mission of John to alert the people to the Presence of Jesus. In our time, the Body of Christ is the prophet of the Presence of Jesus. John’s mission is our mission.