June 23, 2005

Nativity of John the Baptist Jer 1:4-10

In the days of King Josiah, the word of the LORD came to me, saying:

Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I dedicated you, a prophet to the nations I appointed you.

"Ah, Lord GOD!" I said, "I know not how to speak; I am too young." But the Lord answered me,
Say not, "I am too young." To whomever I send you, you shall go; whatever I command you, you shall speak. Have no fear before them, because I am with you to deliver you, says the LORD.

Then the LORD extended his hand and touched my mouth, saying,

See, I place my words in your mouth! This day I set you over nations and over kingdoms, to root up and to tear down, to destroy and to demolish, to build and to plant.

There have been many times that the words "before I formed you in the womb I knew you" have come back to me and stayed with me. Only God could ever know and understand and exist in such a way. It is a thought and sense to be rethought and refelt and reexperienced as my faith changes and grows. The reading today is the first reading for the solemnity of the nativity of John the Baptist. I pray to be open to God's will in what I say and do. I often am not sure of what my next step will be but I want to be walking with God in all that I do. It is an awesome thought that God could know me before forming me.