Birthdays
are a special time to remember and give thanks for the blessings that have come
our way. Are you grateful for the ways that God has worked in your life, even
from your birth? In many churches of the East and West the birth of John the
Baptist is remembered on this day. The friends of Zechariah and Elizabeth
marveled at the wonderful way in which God blessed them with a child. This
child was destined by God for an important mission. The last verses in the last
book of the Old Testament, taken from the prophet Malachi, speak of the Lord’s
messenger, the prophet Elijah who will return to "turn the hearts of
fathers to their children and the hearts of children to their fathers"
(Malachi 4:6). We see the beginning of the fulfillment of this word when the Angel
Gabriel announced to Zechariah the marvelous birth and mission of John the
Baptist (Luke 1:17). When this newly born child was about to be named, as
customary on the eighth day, his relatives quibbled over what name to give him.
This child, however has been named from above! And Elizabeth is firm in her
faith and determined to see that God be glorified through this child. The name
John means "the Lord is gracious". In the birth of John and in the
birth of Jesus the Messiah we see the grace of God breaking forth into a world
broken by sin and without hope. John’s miraculous birth shows the mercy and
favor of God in preparing his people for the coming of their Lord and Savior,
Jesus Christ.
John
the Baptist's life was fueled by one burning passion - to point others to Jesus
Christ and to the coming of God's kingdom. Scripture tells us that John was
filled with the Holy Spirit even from his mother's womb (Luke 1:15, 41) by
Christ himself, whom Mary had just conceived by the Holy Spirit. When Mary
visited her cousin Elizabeth, John leapt in the womb of Elizabeth as they were
filled with the Holy Spirit (Luke 1:41). The fire of the Spirit dwelt in John
and made him the forerunner of the coming Messiah. John was led by the Spirit
into the wilderness prior to his ministry where he was tested and grew in the
word of God. John's clothing was reminiscent of the prophet Elijah (see Kings
1:8). John broke the prophetic silence of the previous centuries when he began
to speak the word of God to the people of Israel. His message was similar to
the message of the Old Testament prophets who chided the people of God for
their unfaithfulness and who tried to awaken true repentance in them. Among a
people unconcerned with the things of God, it was his work to awaken their interest,
unsettle them from their complacency, and arouse in them enough good will to
recognize and receive Christ when he came.
What
is the significance of John the Baptist and his message for our lives? When God
acts to save us he graciously fills us with his Holy Spirit and makes our faith
come "alive" to his promises. Each and every day the Lord is ready to
renew us in faith, hope, and love. Like John the Baptist, the Lord invites each
of us to make our life a free-will offering to God. God wants to fill us with
his glory all the days of our lives, from birth through death. Renew the
offering of your life to God and give him thanks for his mercy and favor
towards you.
(Servants
of the word)
Totus
Tuus - The camp will run from July 15th – July 20. Please register soon as
spots are going fast.
Bake
Sale – Thank-you to all the bakers and helpers from last weeks’ bake sale. We
realized $755.80 from the event. Thank-you!
Graduation
– St. Dominic Graduation is on Monday June 25th at 10:30 am. Queen of Heaven
Graduation is on Wednesday at 10:00.
NOTE:
Monday Morning Mass as usual at 8:00
No
9:15 am Mass on Wednesday Morning.
This is the last bulletin
until September. I wish you all a great summer with some rest and relaxation.
Thank-you to all our students, teachers, vice-principals and principals for all
your efforts in Catholic Education. Congrats to all our graduates. I look
forward to seeing you all again in September. Have a safe summer!
Fr. Phil