Daily Reflections

June 24, 2011
A MOMENTOUS AND CONSEQUENTIAL BIRTH

First and foremost, why the big fuss at all over John the Baptist’s name? To the cynical Shakespeare’s “What’s in a name?” the ancient Romans had an answer: “Nomen est omen” — a name is an omen, a portent of things to come, a symbol of the person’s identity and mission. With a name that means “Yahweh is gracious,” the most popular masculine name in the world (John, Jean, Juan, Joan, Giovanni, Ian, Jan, Hans, Ivan, Johann, Johannes, etc.) is surely worth the fuss!
More so for the one whose birth we commemorate and who we are honoring today. As the herald, precursor and “pointer” of Jesus Christ, John the Baptist held his unique vocation and mission in life, carrying out a concrete assignment both unrepeatable and irreplaceable. Just as a name, even if with several namesakes, is unique to an individual person, so, too, is his identity and mission. Ask yourself then: What does your birth bring? What does your name mean or symbolize? And finally, what does your mission and vocation entail?
Remember that there are only three instances in the liturgical calendar when births are commemorated: Jesus’ (December 25), Mary’s (September 8), and this one of John the Baptist today. All the rest of the saints’ feasts and memorials are usually taken from the days of their death. Moreover, it’s as if the words of Jesus no less were the canonization statement of John himself (Matthew 11:11): “History had not known a man born of woman greater than John the Baptizer.”
Our own birthdays may not have profound consequences in world history (much less in the history of salvation) and we may not have veritable earth-shaking missions to carry out in life. But each of us is no less important in God’s eyes. For all its enigmatic tone, there is truth in what Jesus said: “Yet the least born into the kingdom of God is greater than he.” May St. John the Baptist himself be our guide and example in life. Fr. Martin Macasaet, SDB

Reflection Question:
Your name points to your mission in life. What does your name mean?

Thank You, Father, for my name and for what it means in Your Kingdom.

St. Germoc, pray for us.