NativJB18B. Jeremiah 1:4-10; Isaiah 49:1-6.

In both of these readings I understand that in each one the prophets have been inspired to write of themselves. Jeremiah in writing, “Before you were born I dedicated you, a prophet to the nations I appointed you,” believes that God is speaking this to him. Again Isaiah in writing, “For now the Lord has spoken who formed me as his servant from the womb, that Jacob may be brought back to him and Israel gathered to him,” is referring to God’s calling him to be a prophet to Israel and then to all the world. These readings are then seen in an extended sense to refer to John the Baptist as one who prepares the people to receive to receive the Messiah and yet further these readings can be seen to refer to Jesus, God making himself a man among men, who is to suffer in bringing the People to God the Father.

Luke 1:5-17. Luke 1:57-66, 80. The angel, who is God’s messenger, announces the birth to Elizabeth who has never had a child and is now beyond the age to conceive, and gives him the name John. “He will be filled with the Holy Spirit even from his mother’s womb, and will turn many of the children of Israel to the Lord their God” “to prepare a people fit for the Lord.” The birth of John the Baptist is a unique historical and spiritual event because he is to proclaim the coming of the Messiah. The miraculous cure of Zechariah made clear that this child was destined by God to accomplish his mission as were the prophets of old.

1 Peter 1:8-12. Peter wrote that the prophets prophesied about the grace that was to be given for the salvation of souls. That salvation has been announced “by those who preached the Good News” “through the Holy Spirit sent from heaven.”
Acts of the Apostles 13:22-26. From David’s descendants God sent “to Israel a savior, Jesus.” “John heralded his coming by proclaiming a baptism of repentance to all the people of Israel.” John said of himself in John 2:23, “I am ‘the voice of one crying out in the desert, “Make straight the way of the Lord.”’ as Isaiah the prophet said.”