(Solemnity of the Nativity of St. John the Baptist)

Community Word:God’s great mercy keeps us in communion with Christ

Theme:We are in communion with Christ when we let God empower us to grow strong in spirit.

Promise: “I will make you a light to the nations that my salvation may reach to the ends of the earth.”(Is 49: 6b)

Reflection:
St. John the Baptist, whose birth is celebrated by the Church this Sunday, is an example of a great man who “… grew up and became strong in spirit,” (Jn 1:80).He was totally focused on the purpose of his life and did not let anyone or anything disturb him. Unmindful of what others thought about his diet of wild honey and locusts or his clothing made of camel’s hair, he was able to look at his life with the eyes of God, sacrificing his comfort and his popularity for the sake of Christ.

The only way to become strong in spirit is through total surrender to Jesus every day of our life. The more we interact with Jesus, the clearer our calling becomes. The deeper we are in communion with Jesus, the stronger we are transformed in spirit. This is the theme for this Sunday’s Solemnity of the Nativity of St John the Baptist – We are in communion with Christ when we let God empower us to grow strong in spirit. It may seem simple but it requires dedication and willingness to do things that keep us fully focused on the Lord. We need to strive to (1) increase our knowledge and understanding of God’s word, (2) decreaseour propensity to sin, (3) develop Christ-like qualities, and (4) grow our faith and trust in God. In short, growing in spirit is becoming more like Jesus Christ. As Paul tells the Corinthians, “Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ,”(1 Cor 11:1).

In order to develop a strong spirit we must choose to learn from Scriptures and apply God’s word in our life. We must allow God to renew our minds and be obedient when He rebukes, corrects and disciplines us. The wonderful thing about humbly surrendering to His process is that the Holy Spirit will do the changing, conforming us to the image of Jesus Christ. This is the exhortation of St Paul in his letter to the Romans, “Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God – this is your spiritual act of worship. Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is – his good, pleasing and perfect will,” (Rm 12:1-2). Failure to submit to the guidance of the Holy Spirit means being unable to respond to the call for holiness and the benefits that salvation brings to one’s life.

Spiritual growth is not an over-night event. It is a continuing journey while we live on earth. Some are transformed in the spirit little by little, while others are inspired to live the life of Christ quickly and steadily. But once renewed in the spirit, we realize that the gifts of the Holy Spirit (1Cor 12: 1-11) are working in us and we allow these gifts to grow and empower us. We gain the fruit of such gifts that will start manifesting in us as visible attributes of a true Christian life– love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control(Gal 5:22).

We have no recourse but to exercise and use them not just for ourselves, but to equip us to perform the mission that our Lord has mandated us to do – to be sent and share Christ to others as our calling demands. For as we are inspired by the Spirit to share the Good News, Jesus gives us the assurance of His promise: “I will make you a light to the nations, that my salvation may reach to the ends of the earth,” (Is 49: 6b).

Prayer:
Gracious God, I want to be strong in spirit like John the Baptist. I want to be truly yours. I surrender my all in all to you. Do what you want with me and show me how to serve and love You more. May my life count in accord with your plans. Be praised forever and ever. In Jesus’ name,Amen.

Reflection Questions:
1.Like John the Baptist, how can you show your utmost to fulfill the calling of Jesus in your life? Are your willing to stand up for Christ as a true Christian believer?

2.What are the things that might easily distract you in your relationship with Jesus as you journey in growing and being transformed in the spirit?

This Week’s Daily Mass Reading Guide:
June 24, 2018 (Sun) – Is 49:1-6/Ps 139:1-3, 13-15/Acts 13:22-26/Lk 1:57-66, 80
June 25, 2018 (Mon) – 2 Kgs 17:5-8,13-15,18/Ps 60:3,4-5,12-13/Mt 7:1-5
June 26, 2018 (Tue) – 2 Kgs 19:9-11,14-21,31-35,36/Ps 48:2-4,10,11/Mt 7:6,12-14
June 27, 2018 (Wed) – 2Kgs 22:8-13; 23:1-3/Ps 119:33, 34, 36, and 37, 40/Mt 7:15-20
June 28, 2018 (Thu) – 2Kgs 24:8-17/Ps 79:1, 2, 3-5, 8, 9/Mt 7:21-29
June 29, 2018 (Fri) – Acts 12:1-11/Ps 34:2-9/2Tm 4:6-8, 17-18/Mt 16:13-19
June 30, 2018 (Sat) – Lam 2:2, 10-14, 18-19/Ps 74:1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 7, 20, 21/Mt 8:5-17
“Ignorance of the Bible is ignorance of Christ. Read your Bible daily!”