Reflections of a beloved son

Like Jesus, St. John the Baptist was a miracle baby. He was born to an old couple and to a mother who was barren. John had been called by name. When the Angel appeared to Zechariah to tell him his wife Elizabeth will bear a son, he also told him the name the child shall be called. After his birth, the people asked Elizabeth and Zechariah what the name of the child should be. They said, “John is his name.” John had an important mission. He was to be the forerunner of Christ, to tell people to prepare their hearts for Christ, and to baptize the people for the forgiveness of sins. You too are called by name. We too have a mission. God calls us by name. God calls you by name. God calls out to you, in the deepest recesses of your hearts. He calls for you. Even before you were born, God has called you. John the Baptist leapt in his mother’s womb when Jesus in Mary’s womb came to visit. Each one of us is special to God and each one of us has a special call and mission. Your life is meaningful...

Many people in history as well as today had come together, standing united for or against something or someone.  Let's take the marches that took place during the Civil Rights Movement when people from different religious, ethnic, and societal backgrounds came together and stood together united for the fight to have all people share the rights guaranteed by our Constitution.  More prominently in the Catholic world, since Roe v. Wade , people, not only Catholics, have gathered together to stand against abortion and standing for life - all life and at all stages.  Even more recently in Hong Kong, people - Christian, non-Christian, came together to stand against a piece of legislative amendment (the Extradition bill) that would transfer fugitives to the Mainland China, putting human rights activists, religious freedom activists, journalists, and others in harm's way.  Amidst the protests, Christians came together and began to sing "Sing Hallelujah to the Lord" for hours...