The One Sent to Herald the Coming of the Lamb

Prayer-Soldier

The One Sent to Herald to the Coming of the Lamb

Scriptures:

Give ear, the islands, and hearken, the people from afar. The Lord has called me from the womb, from the depths of my mother he has been mindful of my name. And he has made my mouth like a sharp sword: in the shadow of his hand he has protected me, and has made me as a chosen arrow: in his quiver he has hidden me. And he said to me: You are my servant Israel, for in you will I glory. And I said: I have labored in vain, I have spent my strength without cause and in vain: therefore my judgment is with the Lord, and my work with my God. And now said the Lord, that formed me from the womb to be his servant, that I may bring back Jacob unto him, and Israel will not be gathered together: and I am glorified in the eyes of the Lord, and my God is made my strength. And he said: It is a small thing that you should be my servant to raise up the tribes of Jacob, and to convert the dregs of Israel. Behold, I have given you to be the light of the Gentiles, that you may be my salvation even to the farthest part of the earth. (Isaiah 49:1-6)

And when he had removed him, he raised them up David to be king: to whom giving testimony, he said: I have found David, the son of Jesse, a man according to my own heart, who shall do all my wills. Of the seed of this man, God, according to his promise, has raised up to Israel a Savior Jesus: John first preaching, before his coming, the baptism of penance to all the people of Israel. And when John was fulfilling his course, he said: I am not he whom you think me to be. But behold, there comes one after me, whose shoes of his feet I am not worthy to loose. Men, brethren, children of the stock of Abraham, and whosoever among you fear God: to you the word of this salvation is sent. (Acts 13:22-26)

Now Elizabeth?s full time of being delivered was come: and she brought forth a son. And her neighbors and kinsfolks heard that the Lord had shown his great mercy towards her: and they congratulated with her. And it came to pass that on the eighth day they came to circumcise the child: and they called him by his father?s name Zachary. And his mother answering, said: Not so. But he shall be called John.

And they said to her: There is none of you kindred that is called by this name. And they made signs to his father, how he would have him called. And demanding a writing table, he wrote, saying: John is his name. And they all wondered. And immediately his mouth was opened and his tongue loosed: and he spoke, blessing God. And fear came upon all their neighbors: and all these things were told abroad over all the hill country of Judea. And all they that had heard them laid them up in their heart, saying: What, then, shall this child be? For the hand of the Lord was with him.

And the child grew and was strengthened in spirit: and was in the deserts until the day of his manifestation to Israel. (Luke 1:57-66, 80)

Reflection:

From before the moment we are formed in the womb, God has set a purpose for us. What He has put in motion, the evil one will seek to frustrate. The one who has gifts for the blessings of others is poised for the work of God, but the choice of what will be done is left with each child brought forth from the womb. He values the works of the faithful and rewards the selfless servant.

Blessed is the mother who brings forth life, for they set the gifts of God in motion. From the union of man and woman, new life is brought forth within His creation; each with the opportunity to bring forth the blessings of the Lord, each with the opportunity to find the lost sheep, each with the opportunity to serve those in need, each with the opportunity to turn the tide away from the ravages of evil and to the cause which is right and just.

His desire is for all to follow the light, but the ways of the world will blind and deceive. Blessed are those who seek Him in prayer for they will be guided to the light. Blessed are those who pray for others for they will spread the light. Blessed are those who offer their hands in charity, for they are the extension of His hands. Blessed are those who shine the light through the example of their works, for they will help open the eyes of those who struggle to see.

He has anointed kings and brought forth leaders of great faith. Some have risen to His call and others have fallen to the temptations which surround them. He has commissioned those who proclaim the way. He has blessed prophets with His Word. To every time He has given a purpose and to each moment He has given a choice. The ways of people are filled with blessings and betrayal and so the ways of the world pass challenge to each generation.

The freewill of the children of His creation has led to many paths, but He continues to beckon all to the one true way. From the seed of Zachary and the womb of Elizabeth, John was brought forth to herald the way so all would make straight the path for the Lord. He did not wear regal robes, but he carried the richest of messages; for the One of which he spoke is the salvation for all the generations.

Not all who hear will listen. Not all who listen will understand. Not all who understand will believe. But all who believe shall be saved. Blessed are those who share the Word so that all might have the opportunity to hear, to listen, to understand, to believe; so that the eyes of the faithful will know the light and not be left with the darkness.

Blessed are those who allow their hearts to be filled with the Holy Spirit for they will find much beyond the bonds of the world. While tyrants raise armies of oppression, His response is to send a loan voice to herald the way for the One. While nations fight for boarders and worldly things, He fights for our souls. The prophets He sends need not win the battles of the ground, but the battle for the heart.

The strength of the Word surpasses armies for if all lived by the Word there would be no fight. To secure their power, kings and dictators have sought to silence the voices sent by God, but evil cannot silence the love which is heard in the heart. What John the Baptist cried out in the desert was heard in many hearts. From one heart to another the Word is spread so that the heralding of the Lord is now heard across the generations. So it was that one was born so many would talk and One was born so that many would be saved.

May the peace and blessings of the Lord be with you always,
Prayer Soldier