O Lord, my God I praise and thank You for everything in my life. Loving and merciful are You my God that You grant bountiful blessings and Graces.
Every one of Your children O loving Father experienced the miracle of life through birth. And everyone of us are unique, with unique gifts and the freedom to follow our own paths. But all of us are given the same task to lead your children on the path back to You. Especially those who are lost or have strayed.
By the great example of St John the Baptist’s parents and St John himself who was obedient and did the Will of our heavenly Father and through the life giving grace and strength of You our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ; may we do likewise and bring all into the same faith as we embark on our pilgrim journey together. Amen
FIRST READING
Malachi 3:1–4, 23–24
GOSPEL
Luke 1:57–66
When the time arrived for Elizabeth to have her child she gave birth to a son. Her neighbors and relatives heard that the Lord had shown his great mercy toward her, and they rejoiced with her. When they came on the eighth day to circumcise the child, they were going to call him Zechariah after his father, but his mother said in reply, “No. He will be called John.” But they answered her, “There is no one among your relatives who has this name.” So they made signs, asking his father what he wished him to be called. He asked for a tablet and wrote, “John is his name,” and all were amazed. Immediately his mouth was opened, his tongue freed, and he spoke blessing God. Then fear came upon all their neighbors, and all these matters were discussed throughout the hill country of Judea. All who heard these things took them to heart, saying, “What, then, will this child be? For surely the hand of the Lord was with him.”
CatholicJules.net 