THE NATIVITY OF ST. JOHN THE BAPTIST  Lectionary #586–587
The solemnity of John’s birth is one of the oldest feasts in the Roman calendar: It is one of the few to have a vigil Mass with its own special texts. Observed at about the time of the summer solstice, it occurs about a month after the celebration of the Visitation of Mary to Elizabeth on May 31, when Elizabeth’s baby leapt in her womb (see Luke 1:39–80). The vigil was celebrated with the lighting of “St. John’s Fires” on hilltops, probably an ancient practice associated with the solstice. Like some other saints who were beheaded, John is a patron saint of singers! This solemnity is a very important feast in many cultures.

VIGIL Lectionary #586
Even if we don’t realize it, we’re serving God’s purpose and plan.

Jeremiah 1:4–10. The call of Jeremiah “in the days of King Josiah.” The prophet should rely on God’s promise and on the words that God will provide.

Psalm of the Day: Ps 71
The verses from this individual lament that we use today come from the first part of the psalm, a plea to God for deliverance, though our excerpt ends with praise of God’s righteousness.

In You, O Lord (Ford, chant)  BFW 330
Since My Mother’s Womb (Currie)  WOR 1033
Since My Mother’s Womb (Guimont)   RS 100

1 Peter 1:8–12. Part of what is probably an ancient baptismal homily, this reading points out that we all work for God, but what we do may fit a pattern in the divine plan that we can’t yet discern.

Luke 1:5–17. The promise of a son made to Zechariah in the Temple is a promise filled with pain, because the priest Zechariah would certainly be aware of what usually happens to God’s prophets.

Songs for the Liturgy
See below

MASS DURING THE DAY Lectionary #587
John served God as prophet and as herald. How is he a model for us?

Isaiah 49:1–6. In one of the servant songs, the prophet celebrates a ministry of reconciliation in which God calls Israel back. The servant will be a light to the nations.

Psalm of the Day: Ps (138) 139
A combination of hymn and lament, this psalm praises God as the creator who is intimately involved with the creation, particularly with the life of the psalmist.

I Praise You, O God (Currie) WOR 1034
I Praise You, O God (Guimont) RS 187
I Praise Your Name (Lisicky) GC 135
Secrets of My Heart (Englert) WC 254
Te Doy Gracias (Martínez)  FYC 271
Te Doy gracias (Montgomery)  FYC 272

Acts 13:22–26. John is presented as a herald for the savior, Jesus.

Luke 1:57–66, 80. The story of John’s birth includes a miraculous cure of Zechariah. There are strong parallels between this story and Luke’s narrative of Jesus’ birth (2:6–21), including the use of a name given by an angel to the child before birth.

Songs for the Liturgy

Benedictus: O Chosen Children (Hommerding)  WC 448
By All Your Saints Still Striving  PMB 524/RS 887/WC 954/WOR 706
Canticle of Zachary (Daw)  JS 137
Canticle of Zachary (Duck/Forest Green)  GC 775/GC2 5/RS 7
Canticle of Zachary (Joncas)  GP 156/JS 413
Canticle of Zachary (Quinn/Forest Green)  PMB 179/WC 449/WOR 6
Canticle of Zechariah (Quinn/Este’s Psalter)  CH 421
Canticle of Zechariah (Janco)  PMB 4/WC 203
Canticle of Zechariah/Cántico de Zacarías (Toolan)  WC 450
Here I Am, God (Howard)  WC 783
Here I Am, Lord (Cooney)  GC2 35/GP 204
Here I Am, Lord (Schutte)  GC 686/GC2 671/GP 542/JS 528/PMB 406/RS 802/WC 790
Here I Am, Lord (Ward)  PMB 403/WC 779
Here I Am, O God (Warner)  PMB 149
*The Great Forerunner of the Morn  RS 879/WOR 698