Comments on: Monday, June 24, 2019 – John the Baptist and the Meaning of Life

By: Loloy

Loloy — Wed, 26 Jun 2019 00:17:30 +0000

Mary, thank you for your deep thoughts in every reflections you write. It helps a lot in pondering, how my spiritual being is as I journey in this world full of temptations and enticements.

God bless you, I am always excited to read and never miss reading your reflections.

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Tue, 25 Jun 2019 19:10:44 +0000

Mary as a father of five trying to understand what god wants from me for my life and those around me, I truly look forward to your reflections every week. You are using a gift that strengthens so many people who thirst for a better understanding of the word. Thank you!

By: Chris

Chris — Mon, 24 Jun 2019 19:07:00 +0000

While I think Anonymous who criticized Mary is out of line, I do have a concern about placing more emphasis on John’s death and evil. When we celebrate Jesus’ birth, do we concentrate on his death or birth. Today is a birthday celebration. I am more inclined to imagine Elizabeth and Zechariah dizzy with happiness. After the family, friends and neighbours got over the selection of John’s name, did food and drink get served? was there music and dancing? Did everyone get all mushy over the new born. Also, did Mary and Joseph make a trip back to visit with Elizabeth and Zechariah to celebrate with them. There was a lot evil in the time of John and Jesus, and in the world today, but we all stop everything when a child is born and put aside the terrible things happening in the world, in our lives and take time to feel joy, blessings, happiness, even for a brief moment.

Happy Birthday John, son of Elizabeth and Zechariah.

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Mon, 24 Jun 2019 18:00:34 +0000

Mary, thank you so much for such a thought provoking reflection. I have grappled with the evils in my mind most all of my life. God only knows the evil thoughts I struggle with in my thoughts. Lord, have mercy on me, a sinner.

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Mon, 24 Jun 2019 17:05:18 +0000

Dear Mary, Thank you for this well needed reflection.
Dear Anonymous, seriously?

By: Chris

Chris — Mon, 24 Jun 2019 16:06:26 +0000

Isaiah 49 and Psalm 139 both speak eloquently and powerfully about birth.

In Isaiah the Lord says. “I have called you by name”. Both John the Baptist and Jesus were given their names directly from God. The angel Gabriel told Mary and Joseph that they were to name their son Jesus. Again, he told both Elizabeth and Zechariah that they must name their son John.

At Baptism we receive our “given name(s)”. I remember years ago when filling out applications, we would be asked “what is your given name”. When I facilitated sacramental prep for Confirmation, I advised the young people to think carefully about the Confirmation names they choose. How many of us have looked up the meaning of our names? The name John means God is gracious, God has shown favour (or mercy).

The verse in Ps 139 that stands out for me is “my soul you knew full well”

The birthday of John is momentous. It is a day of celebration. God knew John’s soul well.

Blessings
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Not without design does God write the music of our lives (John Ruskin)

By: A

Mon, 24 Jun 2019 15:53:42 +0000

Mary, just what I needed to read today! Coupled with Saturday’s Gospel (MT 6:25-34, the ultimate exhortation to “let go and let God,” a great struggle of mine”), I feel like the Holy Spirit is speaking to me.

Definitely need to not try to control things, but also can’t just say “well, God is taking care of everything , and there is nothing I can do.” I’m struggling with an incident today, in which the Holy Spirit gave me words to say, but I didn’t say them. Saint John the Baptist, intercede on my behalf, so that I can speak and be more bold in speaking. Thank you! Amen.

By: Lisa

Lisa — Mon, 24 Jun 2019 13:46:36 +0000

Let us rejoice in The Lord who is our strength! We are all wonderfully made!