Friars Corner: Are we following Jesus Christ?

Fr. Bob Hilz, TOR

Isaiah 49:1-6; Psalms 139:1b-3, 13-15; Acts 13:22-26; Luke 157-66, 80

You may ask, “Why is the church celebrating the birth of John the Baptist and not the twelfth Sunday of ordinary time?” Because St. John the Baptist was such an important person in the salvation of humanity. This solemn feast dates back to the fourth century.

John’s father, Zachariah, was a priest of the temple in Jerusalem with the duty of burning incense in the temple. One day in the temple the angel Gabriel told him that he and his barren wife would bear a son even in their old age. He was to be named John. The angel also told Zachariah that his son would be “great before the Lord….he will be filled with the Holy Spirit, even from his mother’s womb.” Because Zachariah doubted he could not speak.

Six months later when Mary was in prayer, Gabriel appeared to her asking if she would consent to be the mother of the Messiah. Mary said yes and shortly after she went to help her cousin Elizabeth with her pregnancy. When the latter heard Mary’s voice, little John leaped for joy in the womb, he was baptized with the Holy Spirit. Eight days after the baby’s birth, he was given the name John and his father’s voice returned.

John’s unique role

When John was very young he left home to live as a hermit in the desert of Judea until he was about 27. He was most likely a member of the Essene Jewish group waiting for the coming of the savior of the world. Their teachings are very much alike.

John’s unique role in the salvation of the world was key. He is seen as the bridge between the Old and New Testament prophets. John began preaching repentance for the forgiveness of sins, for the kingdom of God was close at hand. He was baptizing people on the banks of the river Jordan.

St. Luke gives more details about these things. One day Jesus came to be baptized by John, who recognized Jesus, the Messiah, enlightened by the Holy Spirit. John hesitated to baptize Jesus. He wanted Jesus to baptize him. Jesus said let it be for now. John called Jesus, the Lamb of God. I move that sent to the previous one. After Jesus came back from forty days of fasting and temptation in the desert, he began to baptize for the forgiveness of sins yet he could add the Baptism of the Holy Spirit.

More details for all of these events can be found in the early chapters of the gospels of John, Matthew and Luke. Then John began telling people to move to the preaching and ministry of Jesus. Shortly after Jesus began his earthly ministry, King Herod Antipas had John arrested and imprisoned due to John’s publically accusing Herod of his unlawful marriage to Herodias, his brother Philip’s wife. This is read more in Matthew 14:1-16; Mark 6:17-18 and Luke 3:19-20. John the Baptist was beheaded because of a vow Herod made at his birthday after a dance of Herodias’s daughter, which greatly pleased him. Herodias told her daughter to ask for the head of John on a platter. Because of the vow Herod made, he did not want to refuse her.

Guided by the Holy Spirit

As we look at the various events that transpired around the birth of Jesus, we can see quite clearly how the Holy Spirit orchestrated these events. As we look at those people guided by the Holy Spirit, I wonder, how does the Holy Spirit want us to live better Catholic lives and help bring people to Jesus? How does Jesus want us to help him touch others? Open your eyes and look around. We can live better Catholic lives, go to Mass more frequently, and pray Chaplets of Divine Mercy and rosaries. We get more divine power to help change our world for the better.

As the world stands today, two thousand years after Jesus’ Ascension, only half of the world knows, believes and follows Jesus. Cardinal Mercier recommended that we ask the Holy Spirit each day what he wants of us. “O Holy Spirit, beloved of my soul, I adore you. Enlighten, guide, strengthen and console me. Tell what I ought to do and give me the graces to do it. I promise to be submissive in everything that you permit to happen to me, only show me what is your will.”

Peace and all good,

• Fr. Bob Hilz
  © 2018 Fr. Bob Hilz, TOR)