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Men of Epiphany will be meeting this Saturday, June 23rd, 6:30 a.m. in the Hearth room. If you can make it, this study is a marvelous preparation for each week's Mass readings.

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Recognizing Jesus and Rejoicing in his Presence

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

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What do you think is the most amazing thing about John the Baptist? His uncompromising zeal for the Lord? His clear, passionate preaching? Maybe his gift of self-denial, or the humility he displayed despite his fame.

How about this: that even as a fetus, John leapt for joy in the presence of Mary and Jesus. Imagine: Here was an unborn baby, barely aware of life outside of the womb, and yet the muffled, quiet sound of Mary’s greeting filled him with the Holy Spirit and caused such a dramatic reaction.

This leap may remind us of Isaac’s wife, Rebekah, who also felt an unusual amount of activity from the twins in her womb. Rebekah asked the Lord why this was happening, and he told her that something spiritual and prophetic was going on inside of her (Genesis 25:20-23). King David also leaped before the Ark of the Covenant. He loved God so much he could not contain himself (2 Samuel 6:14-15). The prophet Isaiah wrote that in the age to come, when the glory of the Lord is made manifest, the lame will leap for joy (Isaiah 35:4-6).

John’s leaping shows us that there is a part of us that can recognize God, regardless of what we do or who we are. It’s encoded into the way he made us. This ability to recognize the Lord is not limited to unborn babies or to great saints like John. It’s in all of us, and it’s something that the Holy Spirit wants to bring to life so that we too can recognize Jesus more deeply—and rejoice in his presence.

So on this great feast day, let’s honor John the Baptist for all that he did for Jesus and for us. John truly is one of the greatest saints of the church. But let’s never forget that the relationship between John and Jesus is something each one of us can experience. We can all leap for joy as we prepare this world for the coming of Christ the King!

“Lord, I want to see you! Come show yourself to me, and fill my heart with joy.”

Questions for Reflection/Discussion by Catholic Men

1.    In the first reading, we hear these words of the prophet Isaiah, “The Lord called me from birth, from my mother’s womb he gave me my name” (Isaiah 49:1) He goes on to proclaim these prophetic words of the Lord, “I will make you a light to the nations, that my salvation may reach to the ends of the earth” (49:6). Do you believe that the Lord has called you for a purpose? How would you describe that purpose? Do you believe it includes telling others of the great salvation we have in Jesus Christ? Why or why not?

2.    In the Responsorial Psalm, once again we are told that even before we were born, the Lord “formed my inmost being; you knit me in my mother’s womb.” In what ways do both Isaiah 49 and Psalm 139 clearly justify the pro-life teachings of the Church?

3.    In the Second Reading, we hear these words of the Lord regarding David. “I have found David, son of Jesse, a man after my own heart.” What are some characteristics of David that made him a man after God’s heart? In what way has God called you to be a man after his own heart?

4.    In the Gospel reading of the unusual birth of John, we are told that “the hand of the Lord was with him.” Why was this so important to John fulfilling God’s call for his life? Why is it so important for us as well? In what way do you sense God’s hand on your life?

5.    In the meditation, we hear these words, “This ability to recognize the Lord is not limited to unborn babies or to great saints like John. It’s in all of us, and it’s something that the Holy Spirit wants to bring to life so that we too can recognize Jesus more deeply—and rejoice in his presence.” What steps can you take in your times of personal prayer or at Mass to “recognize Jesus more deeply and rejoice in his presence?”

6.    Since this “ability to recognize the Lord” is something “the Holy Spirit wants to bring to life,” end your meeting by praying for one another to be filled in a deeper way with the Holy Spirit.

Come Holy Spirit!  ~  Come Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful, and en kindle in them the fire of your love. Send forth your spirit and they are created, and you renew the face of the earth. Let us pray: O God, you taught the hearts of your faithful by sending them the light of your Holy Spirit. In that same spirit give us your right judgment and the joy of your consolation. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen

Prayer to St. Joseph  ~  Glorious St. Joseph, guide and protector of the Holy Family, we ask that you obtain for us from your son, Jesus, the strength and wisdom to lead our families to their Father in heaven. Most Chaste spouse of the Blessed Virgin Mary, may we imitate your obedience to the will of God and be ever mindful of the vocation to which we have been called. Amen