christmas in june
“This astonished them all.” —Luke 1:63
When we hear the name “John the Baptizer,” we should immediately be filled with anticipation. When St. John was born, circumcised, and named, his father was instantly and miraculously able to speak for the first time in nine months (Lk 1:64). Before Jesus’ public ministry, John miraculously inspired thousands of people of all kinds to journey into the desert to be immersed in repentance (see Lk 3:3ff). The awesome archangel St. Gabriel revealed that John would even prepare for Jesus’ final coming by turning “the hearts of fathers to their children” (Lk 1:17; see also Mal 3:23-24). When the name “John the Baptizer” is mentioned, we are on the threshold of a miracle of repentance and conversion.
Therefore, expect:
- to be surprised today,
- planks of sin to be removed from our eyes (Mt 7:5),
- prodigal sons and daughters to return home (see Lk 15:17ff),
- the conversion of enemies of the Church (see Acts 9:3ff), and
- more than we can ask for or imagine (Eph 3:20).
Prayer: Father, give me Christmas in June.
Promise: “I will make you a light to the nations, that My salvation may reach to the ends of the earth.” —Is 49:6
Praise: "I solemnly assure you, history has not known a man born of woman greater than John the Baptizer. Yet the least born into the Kingdom of God is greater than he” (Mt 11:11).
Reference: (To make it a Christmas of a lifetime, read the Bible daily. For encouragement listen to, download or order Ignorance of Scriptures is Ignorance of Christ on CD 82-1 or DVD 82, How to Pray the Bible on CD 82-3 or DVD 82 or How to Read the Bible on CD 46-3 or DVD 46 on our website.)
Rescript: "In accord with the Code of Canon Law, I hereby grant the Nihil Obstat for the publication One Bread, One Body covering the time period from June 1, 2024, through July 31, 2024. Reverend Steve J. Angi, Chancellor, Vicar General, Archdiocese of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio October 4, 2023"
The Nihil Obstat ("Permission to Publish") is a declaration that a book or pamphlet is considered to be free of doctrinal or moral error. It is not implied that those who have granted the Nihil Obstat agree with the contents, opinions, or statements expressed.