This beautiful Feast of the birth of John the Baptist is a celebration that each and every human being has a purpose in this life and in this world. Before we were even conceived, God knew us and had a plan for our lives!!! We are ALL a part of the plan, God’s plan,to restore the world in its beauty and goodness. Our lives are STEEPED in meaning.
John knew who he was and who he was not, saying that he must decrease and Christ must increase. As the sun ever so gradually moves southward, it’s light is DEcreasing, leading to the Winter Solstice, when the light of the sun begins to INcrease. The Liturgy is formed around the births of John and Jesus, so that at John’s birth, the light of the sun decreases; at the birth of Christ, the light of the sun increases.
The Light of the “Son” parallels the light of the “sun” that guides our seasons, brightens our day and allows our plants and vegetation to grow. Let’s not forget the nutrients we get from this wonderful light, like vitamin D.
When all is said and done, we must all be like John, allowing the light of Christ to increase, gradually shrinking the inflated pride of the ego.
Peace,
Fr. Frank