He who points to someone higher, greater than he, John the Baptist. I like this picture of John as he points upward symbolically. Much like the Mother of God, our Holy Mother Mary, the Baptist knew his place and made sure no other notion greater was encouraged.
Bravely, John the Baptist proclaimed the truth, even when it led to his imprisonment and death, he experienced the grace of Christ while still an unborn baby in Elizabeth's womb, he preached a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins, and his famous words of, "He must increase, I must decrease" kept him in his place.
Humble, blessed, and filled with love, both Mary and John the Baptist knew their places, knew their positions were historic, knew it was necessary, but all the while keeping a correct head about it.
Of woman-born shall never be
A greater prophet than was he.
His mighty deeds exalt his fame
To greater than a prophet's name;
But why should mortal voices raise
The hymn of John the Baptist's praise,
Of whom, before his course was run,
The Father said unto the Son:
"Behold my herald who shall go
Before your face, your way to show,
And shine, as with the Day-star's gleam,
Before your own eternal beam."
My favorite Godspell song, "Prepare ye, the way of the Lord" This was John the Baptist's role in Salvation History as he himself said, "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." John is the voice, but the Lord in the beginning was the Word. John is a voice for a time, but Christ is the eternal Word from the beginning. ~St. Augustine.
I pray that fortified and encouraged by the eloquent witness of John the Baptist, and knowing that our Holy Mother Mary trusted, loved, and kept all these things in her heart, my soul, too will magnify and proclaim the greatness of the Lord.
Thanks for the Magnificat, June issue for help with this post.
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