24 June 2019 - a sharp-edged sword

Today's Readings (Mass During the Day)

(Audio)

He made of me a sharp-edged sword
and concealed me in the shadow of his arm.

John the Baptist was a sharp-edged sword used by God to proclaim his glory. He helped Israel cut away the dross of sin through his call to repentance. In turning the people toward God and preparing the way for Jesus he revealed God's glory to Israel. The tribes of Jacob were to be raised up in Jesus. The survivors of Israel were to be restored in Jesus. John was a light to the nations precisely because he shined upon Jesus, the lamb of God who would make all things new.

'What do you suppose that I am? I am not he.
Behold, one is coming after me;
I am not worthy to unfasten the sandals of his feet.'

God was able to use John because John didn't try to keep any of the glory at all for himself. He cared little for what anyone thought of him. His food and clothing weren't trendy. He would say unpopular things even at the risk of his life. He never tried to co-opt the movement of the masses that formed around him for his own benefit.

He asked for a tablet and wrote, "John is his name,"
and all were amazed.
Immediately his mouth was opened, his tongue freed,
and he spoke blessing God.

Old Testament prophecy was shrouded in symbol and secrecy. John, when he arrived, was the one who fully freed the tongue of the prophets. He proclaimed the lamb of God, the messiah who was the one about whom the law and the prophets all bore witness. In him the turn from doubt and self-direction to faith and abandonment to God.

For surely the hand of the Lord was with him.
The child grew and became strong in spirit,                
and he was in the desert until the day
of his manifestation to Israel.

John prays for us today that we too can decrease so that Jesus may increase. We too can be sharp-edged swords for the LORD our God.

I praise you, for I am wonderfully made.