JUNE 24 THE NATIVITY OF ST JOHN THE BAPTIST (DAY) MASS DURING THE DAY
24-JUN-2026 Readings
FIRST READING A reading from the book of Isaiah 49:1-6
Listen to me, O islands, and pay attention, you peoples from afar. The Lord called me from the womb, from the body of my mother he named my name. He made my mouth like a sharp sword, in the shadow of his hand he hid me; he made me a polished arrow, in his quiver he hid me away. And he said to me, "You are my servant, Israel, in whom I will be glorified." But I said, "I have laboured in vain, I have spent my strength for nothing and vanity; yet surely my right is with the Lord, and my recompense with my God." And now the Lord says, who formed me from the womb to be his servant, to bring Jacob back to him, and that Israel might be gathered to him, for I am honoured in the eyes of the Lord, and my God has become my strength- he says: "It is too light a thing that you should be my servant to raise the tribes of Jacob and to restore the preserved of Israel; I will give you as a light to the nations, that my salvation may reach to the end of the earth."
The Word of The Lord!
RESPONSORIAL PSALM: Psalm 139
📢 R. I thank you who wonderfully made me.
O Lord, you search me and you know me. You yourself know my resting and my rising; you discern my thoughts from afar. You mark when I walk or lie down; you know all my ways through and through
R. I thank you who wonderfully made me.
For it was you who formed my inmost being, knit me together in my mother's womb. I thank you who wonderfully made me; how wonderful are your works, which my soul knows well!
*R. I thank you who wonderfully made me.*
My frame was not hidden from you, when I was being fashioned in secret and moulded in the depths of the earth.
R. I thank you who wonderfully made me.
SECOND READING A reading from the Acts of the Apostles 13:22-26
In those days: Paul said, "God raised David to be our fathers' king; of whom he testified and said, 'I have found in David the son of Jesse, a man after my heart, who will do all my will. Of this man's posterity God has brought to Israel a Saviour, Jesus, as he promised. Before his coming John had preached a baptism of repentance to all the people of Israel. And as John was finishing his course, he said, 'What do you suppose that I am? I am not he. No, but after me one is coming, the sandals of whose feet I am not worthy to untie. "Brethren, sons of the family of Abraham, and those among you that fear God, to us has been sent the message of this salvation.
The Word of The Lord!
GOSPEL ACCLAMATION Luke 1:76
*R. ALLELUIA.*
You, child, will be called the prophet of the Most High; for you will go before the Lord to prepare his ways.
R. ALLELUIA.
GOSPEL A reading from the holy GOSPEL according to Luke 1:57-66,80
Now the time came for Elizabeth to be delivered, and she gave birth to a son. And her neighbours and kinsfolk heard that the Lord had shown great mercy to her, and they rejoiced with her. And on the eighth day they came to circumcise the child; and they would have named him Zechariah after his father, but his mother said, "Not so; he shall be called John." And they said to her, "None of your kindred is called by this name." And they made signs to his father, inquiring what he would have him called. And he asked for a writing tablet, and wrote, "His name is John." And they all marvelled. And immediately his mouth was opened and his tongue loosed, and he spoke, blessing God. And fear came on all their neighbours. And all these things were talked about through all the hill country of Judea; and all who heard them laid them up in their hearts, saying, "What then will this child be?" For the hand of the Lord was with him. And the child grew and became strong in spirit, and he was in the wilderness till the day of his manifestation to Israel.
The Gospel of The Lord!
Reflection:
In today’s reading, we see how God’s plan unfolds through chosen servants formed even before birth. Isaiah speaks of being called from his mother’s womb, shaped by God to bring light and salvation to all nations. This calling reminds us that every life has a divine purpose — we are not accidents, but part of God’s eternal design to bring His love into the world. The psalm celebrates this truth with awe: “You formed my inmost being; You knit me together in my mother’s womb.” It is a reminder that God knows us completely — our thoughts, our struggles, our hidden gifts. Even when we feel our efforts are in vain, as Isaiah did, our true reward lies in the Lord, who sees every faithful act. Paul, in the second reading, connects this divine calling to the mission of John the Baptist. John’s humility shines: he prepares the way for Christ but never claims glory for himself. His mission was to turn hearts toward the Savior — a task that still calls to each believer today. In the GOSPEL, John’s birth fulfills God’s promise. His naming, “John” — meaning “God is gracious” — marks a turning point in salvation history. Zechariah’s restored speech symbolizes renewed faith and the power of obedience. This reflection reminds us that God’s hand is at work from the beginning of every life. Like Isaiah and John, we are called to serve, to shine as lights where we are placed, and to trust that God’s grace will complete what He began in us. Jesus, I trust in you.