Jun 24: Prayer and Fasting in the Desert

Giovanni di Paolo: John the Baptist retiring into the Desert
National Gallery, London, 1453

Solemnity of the Nativity of Saint John the Baptist

Gospel: Lk 1:57-66, 80

The child grew and became strong in spirit, and he was in the wilderness until the day he appeared publicly to Israel (NRSV, Lk 1:80).

Father, you reveal yourself to every human being at every moment, the same one revelation spoken through the Word, now made flesh in our Lord Jesus. Our grasp of your one Word, however, is limited by our finite historical and cultural situation, as well as by the blindness which comes with the common sinfulness of humanity and our own personal sins. With each moment we have the invitation to grow not only in the life that you, Father, share with us, but also in our understanding.

John came to a fuller understanding of who he was and the mission to which he was called while praying and fasting in the desert. May we too, Father, follow the Israelites, John, and indeed Jesus himself, into a spiritual desert of prayer and discipline that we may also grow in the life and understanding which in always available to us if only we will accept it and allow it to transform us.

Through Christ our Lord. Amen.