Word:Nativity of St. John the Baptist

--Almighty God, by whose providence your servant John the Baptist was wonderfully born, and sent to prepare the way of your Son our Savior by preaching repentance: Make us so to follow his teaching and holy life, that we may truly repent according to his preaching; and, following his example, constantly speak the truth, boldly rebuke vice, and patiently suffer for the truth's sake; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.--

Collect, BCP for June 24

-- You are all [children] of the light and [children] of the day. We do not belong to the night or to the darkness. So then, let us not be like others, who are asleep, but let us be alert and self-controlled. For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk, get drunk at night. But since we belong to the day, let us be self-controlled, putting on faith and love as a breastplate, and the hope of salvation as a helmet. For God did not appoint us to suffer wrath but to receive salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ. He died for us so that, whether we are awake or asleep, we may live together with him. Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.

Live in peace with each other. And we urge you, brothers, warn those who are idle, encourage the timid, help the weak, be patient with everyone. Make sure that nobody pays back wrong for wrong, but always try to be kind to each other and to everyone else.

Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.

Do not put out the Spirit's fire; do not treat prophecies with contempt. Test everything. Hold on to the good. Avoid every kind of evil.

May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. The one who calls you is faithful and he will do it. --

1 Thessaloninas 5:5,13-24

Here are 9 Scriptural passages that follow the life and ministry of St. John, of whom Jesus said "among those born of women, none is greater than John" (Luke 7:28).

Luke 1:5-25
Luke 1:57-80
Matthew 3:1-10
Luke 3:10-18
Matthew 3:13-17
John 1:19-34
John 3:22-30
Luke 7:18-35
Mark 6:14-29


St John the Baptist, along with St Thomas, St Paul and St Francis, is a patron saint to me. I learn, live and grow by his example everyday... I don't think I could walk this walk without it.

Of course, I rarely manage to measure up.

C'est la vive non?

-peace