St. John the Baptist: Recognizing Christ

	Word to Life  Beverly Corzine

Each year millions of families gather to celebrate the accomplishments of young people who have completed 12 years of education.

Some have made it by the skin of their teeth. At the other end of the spectrum others have achieved extraordinary honors. However, on graduation night 2007, halls everywhere radiated the promise of youth.

Waiting for the notes of "Pomp and Circumstance" to fill the air at my grandson Michael's commencement ceremony, my attention kept returning to an ancient couple dressed in shades of blue seated nearby.

Nativity of St. John the Baptist (Sunday, June 24, 2007) Isaiah 49:1-6 Psalm 139:1-3, 13-15 Acts 13:22-26 Luke 1:57-66, 80

This couple showed all the signs of two people who have lived together for nearly a lifetime. Words did not seem to be needed between them. Someone's great-grandparents were waiting for that magic name.

The woman studied the program; the man watched her. Her gloved fingers followed each of the nearly 600 names as they were called. Finally, with five names left, she and her husband rose as one to cheer a proud young man across the stage.

On the way home someone in our family commented in a positive way on the diversity in Michael's graduating class. I remember the proud couple in front of me. In their day skin color would have been the deciding factor in attending Michael's school.

In the readings for this Sunday we are able to witness the strength that diversity brings to salvation history. For example, Isaiah, the great prophet; Paul, the great evangelist; David, the psalmist king and ancestor of Jesus; Elizabeth, Zechariah, and the infant John fill today's readings.

We celebrate the Nativity of St. John the Baptist. Unlike the people in Luke's Gospel who "wonder . . . what will this child be," we know he will grow up to be the great desert prophet who will baptize large crowds and prepare the way for Jesus' ministry.

Imprisoned with execution a certainty, John will send a messenger to Jesus, asking, "Are you the one?"

	Reflection question • Who are some individuals whose words and actions have helped you recognize the promise of Christ?

Jesus will not say yes or no; however, he will say the blind see, the lame walk.

Through this oblique answer John the Baptist, the great prophet, knows he has fulfilled his task because Jesus is the One.

This column is offered in cooperation with the North Texas Catholic of Fort Worth, Texas.