Knowing Our Purpose

Readings for Friday June 24, 2011

Solemnity of the Nativity of Saint John the Baptist

First Reading: Isaiah 49:1-6
Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 139
Second Reading: Acts 13:22-26
Gospel: Luke 1:57-66,80


The LORD called me from birth, from my mother's womb he gave me my name. He made of me a sharp-edged sword and concealed me in the shadow of his arm. He made me a polished arrow, in his quiver he hid me. You are my servant, he said to me, Israel, through whom I show my glory. (Isaiah 49:1-3)

"What am I here for?" Most of us have certainly asked this question many times in our life. We ask this question because we all desire to find our purpose in life; without it we feel a void, an emptiness that is not filled until we find out what we were created to do. If we are truly searching for our purpose in life, we need to start by first asking the creator. It is God who created us, and it was not just so we could exist, but He created each of us with a specific purpose. We must first ask God to show us our purpose, it is only by giving into His will and finding out His plan for our lives that we can begin to fill the void.

As we celebrate the birth of Saint John the Baptist today, we recognize the greatness of God and the flawlessness of His plan. The birth of Saint John the Baptist would be considered what we typically call a miracle baby. Elizabeth, his mother, was older and unable to have kids, but God's greatness and mercy truly showed through to her and her husband. When John was born, the people knew that there was something different about this child, and they knew that the hand of the Lord was with him. John the Baptist grew up "strong in spirit" and went into the dessert to prepare the way of the Lord. John the Baptist knew his purpose. He was not concerned with social status, money, power, or greatness ... only doing the will of God. Saint John the Baptist teaches us many great lessons in humility and in keeping God first in our lives.

We must never lose hope and think that we have no purpose. God has a plan for each of us, just as He did for Saint John the Baptist. The Lord has called us each from birth, we are like the arrow hidden in His quiver, waiting for the right time to be used. We must make sure that we are always trusting and patiently waiting for that time in which the Lord will use us.

Saint John the Baptist, pray for us that we may follow and trust in the Lord as you did.

Father above, we thank you and give you praise for this day. Help us to to seek your plan for our lives, instead of giving into our own will. Lord, we know that from the very beginning you have had a plan for each of us, help us to trust in you and the things that you have in store for us. We know that some things will be hard and difficult and we thank you for it all. Lord, we thank you and praise you for your great love and mercy. We pray for all those who are lost and who do not know your love, we pray for their conversion to the life that you offer. We ask this all through Christ our Lord. Amen.