Fr Richard's homily for the Solemnity of the Birthday of Saint John the Baptist
Homily: Joy and hope
Joy and hope are the two Christian treasures that characterise
today’s great Solemnity. The perception among Elizabeth’s relatives and friends
would have been that there was “no hope” of her having children. Even her
husband Zechariah doubted the news that she was to bear a son – a reaction that
led to him being struck dumb. And yet – “nothing is impossible for God”.
Their neighbours and relations, the Gospel tells us, shared Elizabeth’s
joy at the news of her son’s birth. As Judaea heard of how Zechariah’s speech
returned at the naming of John, they were filled with hope. They treasured the
story in their hearts and said: “What will this child turn out to be?”
The birth of John the Baptist is indeed a colossal moment in
the history of salvation. It heralds the coming of the Messiah – a birth that
brings deep joy and hope to the whole world. Even before being born, John leapt
for joy in his mother’s womb at the Visitation, when he was in the midst of the
unborn Jesus.
This Solemnity occurs ‘smack bang’ in the middle of a year, perhaps
one of the most challenging of our lifetime. It’s six months till Christmas Eve
– the celebration of Christ’s Mass. Yesterday, we got some hopeful news – a breakthrough.
The Government will allow services again in Church from July 4, providing there
are appropriate safety measures in place. We’re waiting on Government guidance,
and instructions from our Bishops – so we don’t as yet know what the new
arrangement will look like, what numbers will be permitted etc. But, as we celebrate
today’s great Feast, there’s certainly cause for “joyful hope” that we can soon
participate in the mysteries of our salvation again soon.
The celebration of the Eucharist is the very celebration of
joyful hope. It’s a participation in, a foretaste of, the Sacred Banquet that
we long to celebrate for eternity in our heavenly homeland. The priest prays in
the Mass, words Bishop Terry has for his moto, that we are “waiting in joyful
hope for the coming of Our Saviour, Jesus Christ.”
The joy and hope of St John the Baptist’s birth, points
towards the joy and hope of Bethlehem, where the “Word becomes Flesh and dwells
among us” even today in the Eucharist, just as He did in the stable. The
mysteries of salvation, in turn, point towards Christ’s coming in glory on the
last day when we shall reign with Him.
May we wait with joyful hope at the coming of this great
day.
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