Daily Reflection Solemnity of the Nativity of Saint John the Baptist

“He will be called John!” The name John means “Yahweh is gracious,” or “Yahweh is merciful.” He is the one who was called by God in utero. Remember the scene of the Visitation, and how this baby leapt in the womb of his mother, Elizabeth, when Mary came to visit her. John devoted his life to become a herald for Christ. People would travel from far and wide to the Jordan River to hear John proclaim the good news, a challenging message of reform and rebirth. His role in life was to point the way to the savior of the world. 

Last week I had the great opportunity to visit the City of Rome with the trustees of Fordham University. While there we attended the general audience with Pope Francis at St. Peter’s Square. It is here, every Wednesday, when thousands of people, from all over the world, gather to hear the Word of the Lord proclaimed by His Holiness. He is also known as the “pontiff,” a word which means the “bridge,” because he is a visible link between divinity and humanity. Like John the Baptist, he points the way to the Messiah.