Reading and meditation on the Word of God on Wednesday of the twelfth week in ordinary time, June 24th, 2026, Solemnity of the Nativity of Saint John the Baptist

Delivered by Dwi Setyo and Stella from then Parish of Our Lady of Assumption Mamajang in the Archdiocese of Makassar, Indoneisa. Isaiah 49: 1-6; Rs psalm 139: 1-3.13-14ab.14c-15; Acts of the Apostles 13: 22-26; Luke 1: 57-66.80.HIS NAME IS JOHN The theme for our meditation today is: His Name isJohn. In the Christian Church, both in the East and the West, which is theLatin-Roman Catholic, the birth of John the Baptist is celebrated today. Wemake it a solemnity, because John had shown his very important role in relationto the mission of Jesus Christ on earth. The news about John as God's gift into the lives ofZechariah and Elisabeth was already a great news that astonished many people.This was followed by the mission that John carried out later, which was toprepare people to welcome Jesus Christ. The Messiah for Israel was a great kingwho had all the powers and was the highest hope for their peaceful andsecurity. The preparation must be very big and the best ever. The person of John from his mother's womb, followinghis birth, and his mission, was like a red carpet to the great king JesusChrist. He had astonished the world and changed it to the light for a new life,even people as evil as Herod were amazed at him. But he himself admitted thatJesus was far greater than himself. He offered himself to be a red carpet thatstretched on the ground as an open and honorable way for Jesus Christ to comeand pass over it. The birth of John the Baptist gives us the meaning ofa mission or duty that reflects the life as a calling. The name"John" attached to him means "God is full of grace".According to the book of the prophet Isaiah, the name of a person has been madesince he was in the mother's womb. A person given a name signifies he is knownand determined that following his birth there will be a specific task ormission he has to carry out. So, the birth of a child, which means all of us, isalready in God's plan. No human child is born by chance or simply aspontaneity. John the Baptist prepared the way for the source orthe master of graces to come into the world to cast away sins and to bringsalvation. We can actually use every grace bestowed by God, especially throughthe sacraments that we receive that we may be cleansed from sin, renew ourselves,and live a new life. When we enjoy a new life, we should not feel greater,arrogant, of merely having fun of it. Our new life must have a commitment tofollow the example of John the Baptist, namely to become a red carpet for theLord especially in our services to others. Let them know that God does the goodthings in their lives through us. Let'spray. In the name of the Father ... Our good and loving God, may today'scelebration strengthen our zeal to share Your mercy to our neighbors,especially those who are in great need. Glory to the Father and to the Son andto the Holy Spirit ... In the name of the Father ...