Son of Zacharias and Elisabeth
He baptised in the Jordan River and preached a baptism of repentance
Invitation
May I hereby draw your attention to
the daily reading of the Gospel?
This invitation wants to share with you the joy of the Gospel.
Everyone, no one except,
can experience this joy by
opening his heart to the healing effect of God’s word.
Available every day
Consideration
Usually, only the anniversary of the death of saints is celebrated. Because of the exceptional significance of Saint John for the history of salvation, we also celebrate his birthday. It is often described as being surrounded by miraculous facts and events. God played such an important role from John’s birth that the people around him suspected that God had something special to do with this newborn. In the story of John’s birth, everything points to a future surrounded by mystery. From his birth, John is already Jesus’ forerunner and pathfinder.
FIRST READING Isa 49:1-6
I will make you the light of the Gentiles.
From the Prophet Isaiah
Listen to me, islands,
prick up your ears, peoples of the far distance:
The Lord has called me from my mother’s womb,
from my mother’s womb he hath called my name.
He hath made my mouth a sharp sword,
with the shadow of his hand he hath covered me.
He made me a sharpened arrow,
and in his quiver he hath secured me.
He said unto me:
“My servant art thou,
Israel in whom I will glorify Me.”
And I said :
“In vain have I wandered,
my strength is in vain and in the wind,
but my right is with the Lord
and my reward with my God.”
But now the Lord spoke
who formed me into His servant from my mother’s womb,
to bring Jacob back to Him
and that Israel might be gathered unto Him.
I am glorified in the sight of the Lord,
and my God is my strength.
He spoke :
“It is too little that thou art my servant,
to raise up the tribes of Jacob
and bring back the saved of Israel.
I appoint thee to be the light of the heathen nations
to be my salvation to the end of the earth.”
INTERLUDIUM Ps. 139(138), 1-3, 13-14, 15
I thank You, Lord, for the miracle of my life.
Thou knowest me, Lord, and thou seest me,
Thou seest me where I walk or stand.
Thou knowest my thoughts from afar,
Thou knowest why I am busy or resting.
For what is in me Thou hast created,
Thou hast woven me like a fabric
formed in the mother’s womb.
I thank Thee for the miracle of my life,
for all the wonders that Thou hast wrought.
Thou knowest also all that goes on in my mind,
my innermost being is not hidden from You.
When I was secretly brought forth,
my life threads were woven into the womb.
SECOND READING Acts 13, 22-26
John preached even before the appearance of Christ.
From the Acts of the Apostles
In those days Paul said :
“After God had rejected Saul
He raised up David to be king of the people of Israel.
“Of this one He gave the testimony :
I have found David, the son of Isaiah,
a man after my own heart
who will do my will in everything.
“From his offspring God has
according to promise
brought forth a Redeemer for Israel,
Jesus;
After John had already preached
a baptism of repentance
to all the people of Israel.
“When John was at the end of his career, he said:
What do you think I am
I am not;
but after me comes One
whose shoes I am not worthy to untie.
“Men, brothers,
sons of Abraham and God-fearing among you :
Unto us is this word of salvation sent.”
ALLELUIA Lk. 1, 76
Alleluia.
Thou, child,
prophet of the Most High, shalt thou be called,
for thou shalt precede the Lord
and thou shalt prepare his ways.
Alleluia.
GOSPEL Lk. 1, 57-66.80
His name is John.
From the Holy Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to
Luke
At that time the moment came for Elisabeth
that she became a mother;
she gave birth to a son.
When the neighbours and the family heard
how great was the mercy
that the Lord had shown her,
they shared in her joy.
On the eighth day they came to circumcise the child
and they wanted to name him after his father Zacharias.
But his mother said:
“No, it must be called John.”
They answered her:
“But there is no one of that name in your family.”
With gestures they then asked his father
what he wanted to call it.
He asked for a writing-table and wrote on it:
“John shall he be called.”
They all stood amazed.
Immediately his mouth was opened,
his tongue loosened
and he proclaimed God’s praise.
Awe filled all those around him
and in all the mountains of Judea.
The whole story was told throughout the mountainous region of Judea.
Everyone who heard it thought about it and wondered:
“What will become of this child?”
For the hand of the Lord was with him.
The child grew up and the Spirit controlled him more and more.
He stayed in the desert
until the day when he appeared to Israel in public.
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Laudato Si
Encyclic of
POPE FRANCIS
On the Care of the Common Home
210. Environmental education has broadened its goals. Whereas in the beginning it was mainly centred on scientific information, consciousness-raising and the prevention of environmental risks, it tends now to include a critique of the “myths” of a modernity grounded in a utilitarian mindset (individualism, unlimited progress, competition, consumerism, the unregulated market). It seeks also to restore the various levels of ecological equilibrium, establishing harmony within ourselves, with others, with nature and other living creatures, and with God. Environmental education should facilitate making the leap towards the transcendent which gives ecological ethics its deepest meaning. It needs educators capable of developing an ethics of ecology, and helping people, through effective pedagogy, to grow in solidarity, responsibility and compassionate care.
To be continued.
The Bible text in this edition is taken from De Nieuwe Bijbelvertaling,
©Nederlands Bijbelgenootschap 2004/2007.
Recitals from Liturgical suggestions for the weekdays and Sundays
Laudato Si Official English translation
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