Solemnity of the Nativity of Saint John the Baptist

Today the Church celebrates the Solemnity of the Nativity of Saint John the Baptist. The assigned readings are Isaiah 49:1-6; Acts 13:22-26; and Luke 1:57-66, 80. The Responsorial Psalm is Psalm 139 (Psalm 139:1-3, 13-15).

For one version of the Responsorial Psalm set to music, please visit:

YouTube: Responsorial Psalm - Psalm 139 I praise You O Lord for I am wonderfully made

The Gospel reading is as follows:

When the time arrived for Elizabeth to have her child she gave birth to a son. Her neighbors and relatives heard that the Lord had shown his great mercy toward her, and they rejoiced with her. When they came on the eighth day to circumcise the child, they were going to call him Zechariah after his father, but his mother said in reply, "No. He will be called John."

But they answered her, "There is no one among your relatives who has this name." So they made signs, asking his father what he wished him to be called.

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.

Then fear came upon all their neighbors, and all these matters were discussed throughout the hill country of Judea. All who heard these things took them to heart, saying, "What, then, will this child be?" 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.

Reflections on these readings:

Oblates of St. Francis de Sales: Salesian Sunday Reflections: Nativity of John the Baptist (June 24, 2018)

Oblates of St. Francis de Sales: Sundays Salesian: Nativity of John the Baptist (June 24, 2018)

Community in Mission: The Mission of St. John the Baptist - A Homily for the Birth of John the Baptist (23 JUN 18)

The Deacon's Bench: We are better than this: Homily for June 24, 2018, Nativity of St. John the Baptist (23 JUN 18)

The Sacred Page: Birth of a Glorious Failure: The Nativity of John the Baptist (21 JUN 18)

The Sacred Page: The Nativity of John the Baptist (The Mass Readings Explained) (18 JUN 18) 

St. Paul Center: He Must Increase: Scott Hahn Reflects on the Nativity of St. John the Baptist

Father George William Rutler Homilies: 2018-06-24 - Nativity of Saint John the Baptist

Word on Fire: He Must Increase and I Must Decrease (Solemnities * Birth of John the Baptist)

Spirituality of the Readings: What's in a Name? (Solemnity of the Nativity of Saint John the Baptist)

In Exile: The God Who Was Revealed in Christmas (Solemnity of the Nativity of Saint John the Baptist)

Let the Scriptures Speak: The Baptist and Us (Solemnity of the Nativity of Saint John the Baptist

Thoughts from the Early Church: Commentary by Maximus of Turin (Solemnity of the Nativity of Saint John the Baptist)