In a former life, many moons ago, I was consecrated to our Lord as a lay person, making promises of poverty, chastity and obedience. This happened on the feast of John the Baptist’s death that we celebrate in August. Today we celebrate his birth, the coming into the world of the forerunner of the Son of God. It is cause for great joy, just as that day of consecration was for me.
And although I am no longer called to that vocation (and instead to that of a wife, mother, shuttle van driver, soccer mom, homeschool teacher and full time employee), I am still inspired by John’s miraculous birth and persistent preaching. He was known to be special from the time he was born, so special that he was given a name that no one else in his family had. So special that simply confirming that name freed his father’s tongue from nine months of silence. So special that, “All who heard these things took them to heart, saying, ‘What, then, will this child be?’”
And those of us who have read the rest of his story know exactly what that child became. He was called to call others. He became a voice crying out in the desert. He became a man of fasting and prayer who ate locusts and wild honey. He became a poor person who dressed himself in camel’s hair. He became a preparer of the way, an opener of hearts, and a baptiser of souls.
May each of us in our own way and in our own vocation be a servant of the will of God just like John the Baptist was. May we not seek to fit in with others, but rather to help others make it in – into the gates of the Kingdom of Heaven.
En una vida anterior, hace mucho tiempo, me consagré al Señor como laica, haciendo promesas de pobreza, castidad y obediencia. Esto sucedió en la fiesta de la muerte de Juan el Bautista, que celebramos en agosto. Hoy celebramos su nacimiento, la llegada al mundo del precursor del Hijo de Dios. Es motivo de gran alegría, al igual que aquel día de mi consagración.
Y aunque ya no estoy llamada a esa vocación (sino a la de esposa, madre, conductora de minivan, madre de futbolistas, maestra en casa y empleada a tiempo completo), sigo inspirada por el nacimiento milagroso de Juan y su predicación perseverante. Se sabía que era especial desde su nacimiento, tan especial que recibió un nombre que nadie más en su familia tenía. Tan especial que el simple hecho de confirmar ese nombre liberó la lengua de su padre de nueve meses de silencio. Tan especial que “se preguntaban impresionados: ‘¿Qué va a ser de este niño?’ Esto lo decían, porque realmente la mano de Dios estaba con él”.
Y quienes hemos leído el resto de su historia sabemos exactamente en qué se convirtió ese niño. Fue llamado a llamar a otros. Se convirtió en una voz que clama en el desierto. Se convirtió en un hombre de ayuno y oración que comía langostas y miel silvestre. Se convirtió en un hombre pobre que se vestía de piel de camello. Se convirtió en un preparador del camino, un abridor de corazones y un bautizador de almas.
Que cada uno de nosotros, a nuestra manera y en nuestra propia vocación, seamos siervos de la voluntad de Dios, al igual que Juan el Bautista. Que no busquemos encajar con los demás, sino que ayudemos a otros a encajar con Dios, para poder entrar por las puertas del Reino de los Cielos.
Tami Urcia is a midwestern gal from a large Catholic family. As a young adult she was a missionary in Mexico, where she studied theology and philosophy. After returning stateside bilingual, she gained a variety of work experience, traveled extensively and finished her Bachelor’s Degree at Brescia University. She loves organizing and simplifying things, watching her children play sports, deep conversations with close family and friends and finding unique ways to brighten others’ day with Christ’s love. She works full time at Diocesan in the Software Department and manages the Inspiration Daily reflections. She is also a contributing writer on CatholicMom.com and BlessedIsShe.net.
Feature Image Credit: William Canton, art.diocesan.com/stock-photo/behold-the-lamb-of-god-27400/
The views and opinions expressed in the Inspiration Daily blog are solely those of the original authors and contributors. These views and opinions do not necessarily represent those of Diocesan, the Diocesan staff, or other contributors to this blog.
Daily Reading
Solemnity of the Nativity of Saint John the Baptist
Readings for the Vigil Readings for the Mass during the Day Vigil Mass during the Day – – – Lectionary for Mass for Use in the Dioceses of the United…
Saint of the Day
Solemnity Of The Nativity of John The Baptist
The birth of St. John the Baptist was foretold by an angel of the Lord to his father, Zachary, who was offering incense in the Temple. It was the office