Greatness of John the Baptist

Today’s Gospel Text:  And his father Zechari'ah was filled with the Holy Spirit, and prophesied, saying,  68 "Blessed be the Lord God of Israel, for he has visited and redeemed his people, 69 and has raised up a horn of salvation for us in the house of his servant David, 70 as he spoke by the mouth of his holy prophets from of old, 71 that we should be saved from our enemies, and from the hand of all who hate us; 72 to perform the mercy promised to our fathers, and to remember his holy covenant, 73 the oath which he swore to our father Abraham, 74 to grant us that we, being delivered from the hand of our enemies, might serve him without fear, 75 in holiness and righteousness before him all the days of our life. 76 And you, child, will be called the prophet of the Most High; for you will go before the Lord to prepare his ways, 77 to give knowledge of salvation to his people in the forgiveness of their sins, 78 through the tender mercy of our God, when the day shall dawn upon us from on high 79 to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace." Luke 1:67-79

Reflection: Referring to his Child, John the Baptist, Zechariah after receiving his healing, prophesies: “And you, child, will be called the prophet of the Most High; for you will go before the Lord to prepare his ways, to give knowledge of salvation to his people in the forgiveness of their sins” (Vss. 76-77)

Jesus referring to John the Baptist calls him thus: “I tell you; among those born of women none is greater than John; yet he who is least in the kingdom of God is greater than he." Luke 7:28

What is it that makes John the Baptist so great and those least in the kingdom of heaven greater than John the Baptist?

If one understands the term "least in the kingdom" then they are those who made themselves nothing for the sake of Jesus and by giving up everything for him, in order to proclaim the salvific message of the Gospel.

John the Baptists greatness lay in the role, which Zechariah prophesies as that of preparing the way the Lord and to give knowledge of Salvation to his people in the forgiveness of their sins.

No wonder scripture praises them thus: “How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him who brings good tidings, who publishes peace, who brings good tidings of good, who publishes salvation, who says to Zion, "Your God reigns." Is. 52:7

Our sins separate us from God and no matter how much we try and what methods we employ, whether so called eastern prayer methods or programmes of human emancipation, we cannot be saved apart from the salvific action of God accomplished in Christ Jesus of which John the Baptist was a herald.

Therefore the Apostle Paul speaks: “..who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation; that is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation.  So we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We beseech you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God.  For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God. 2 Cor 5:18-21

Prayer: Lord, teach me in what way I could be your instrument in bringing your good tidings to the world, especially my neighbor.

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