Truly you have formed my inmost being;
you knit me in my mother’s womb.
I give you thanks that I am fearfully, wonderfully made;
wonderful are your works.
I have no doubt St John the Baptist had the slightest inkling that many centuries later , there would be a tiny coastal state in India celebrating his birthday party with so much enthusiasm.
As part of the unique festivities, Goans leap into wells and other water bodies brimming with rain water, as a mark of tribute to St John the Baptist. During this particular Catholic festival, revellers wear colourful headgears called ‘kopel’, festooned with fresh flowers and fruits and chant the slogan ‘Viva Re Sao Joao’. The annual festival, which is celebrated on June 24, is celebrated with people indulging in lots of dance, food, fenny (local alcohol from cashew fruit) and fun. (Wikipedia)As a Goan, being merry and cheerful is genetic and finding a reason in the Bible to throw a party makes it a habit! While prior to the pandemic, the state would be flourishing with parties and scenes of men women and kids taking a dip in any water body or strutting around with headgears of flowers and fruit singing traditional songs or taking a ride with the colorful boats while cheering and celebrating!
But as I ponder over the entire scene, St john the baptist is not the hero in the entire plot but more like a wingman to Jesus for all the good deeds by doing the groundwork. Today as we reflect on the birth of St John,
O LORD, you have probed me, you know me:
you know when I sit and when I stand;
you understand my thoughts from afar.
My journeys and my rest you scrutinize,
with all my ways you are familiar.
My soul also you knew full well;
nor was my frame unknown to you
When I was made in secret,
when I was fashioned in the depths of the earth.
As I deliver a baby and hand the newborn to the pediatrician for evaluation I always ( almost) think what will this child be in life? Maybe the next prime minister.. maybe a teacher… or most importantly maybe a nice human… I say a pray especially if it is a girl child — as the rate of female foeticide in my country is alarming!
Today let us review our life especially since so much has changed over 2 years , our purpose at birth……………. have we reached our potential have we been the person Lord chose us to be?! A good human filled with faith and happiness !Like St John, do we leap with joy when we hear the voice of Mama Mary or in the presence of the Lord! Like St John are we ready to stand for our faith and tell others??
PRAYER:
Dearest Lord,
Happy birthday to St JOhn , I thank you for keeping me safe in my mothers womb and now on earth. Help me and guide me to finding my true purpose in this world and be nicer as a human to those in despair around me. Bless all those who read this today!
AMEN
