Tuesday, June 24, 2025

 

Solemnity of the Nativity of Saint John the Baptist

(Isaiah 49:1-6; Acts 13:22-26; Luke 1:57-66.80)

When Josef Ratzinger, who became Pope Benedict XVI, was just ordained, the Bavarian village where he grew up celebrated their new priest.  It was a grand affair with just about everyone participating.  Ratzinger remembered years later that he had to tell himself, “This is not about you, Josef, this is not about you.”  He knew that the people were excited about having one of their own becoming “another Christ.”  They loved the Lord so much that they exalted in knowing that one among them would take his place in providing the sacraments.  John the Baptist said something like what Josef Ratzinger said to himself as crowds gathered to hear him preach.

John was evidently a powerful preacher.  St. Matthew recalls in his gospel how people from all Judea came to hear his speak.  Many became so convinced by his words that they proclaimed him the Messiah.  But John knew that he was only the herald of the one who was to redeem Israel.  As Paul testifies in today’s reading from Acts, he told the people, “I am not he.”

John gives us an important lesson here.  He was not the Messiah, nor are we although sometimes we think of ourselves in that way.  We will be rudely abused of that attitude someday.  That will be a blessing.  If we don’t give up the attitude, it will deprive us of knowing salvation from Jesus, the true Messiah.