Thursday, December 12, 2013

John the Baptist, greatest and the least: Daily Mass Homily--Thursday, December 12th, 2013


            John the Baptist is a key figure in salvation history.  Jesus describes him as follows: “…among those born of women there has been none greater than John the Baptist…”  Part of what this means is that John the Baptist is, in a sense, greater than all the men and women in the Old Testament—Abraham, Noah, Moses, David.  Why?  John the Baptist welcomed the Christ himself.
            At the same time, Jesus adds, “…yet the least in the Kingdom of heaven is greater than he.”  Why?  John the Baptist, while announcing Christ’s arrival, actually died before witnessing the salvific act of Christ’s death and resurrection.  Thus, those of us coming after John are, in a sense, even greater than him.
            This is the most true when considering our Blessed Mother, whom we celebrate today under the title Our Lady of Guadalupe.  Mary gave her yes, lived most purely and followed her son to the full.  She is the greatest of all humans, save Jesus.
            Our Lady of Guadalupe, pray for us.

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