Readings Birth of John the Baptizer

Romans 9:1-5
I speak the truth in Christ, I do not lie; my conscience joins with the holy Spirit in bearing me witness that I have great sorrow and constant anguish in my heart. For I could wish that I myself were accursed and separated from Christ for the sake of my brothers, my kin according to the flesh. They are Israelites; theirs the adoption, the glory, the covenants, the giving of the law, the worship, and the promises; theirs the patriarchs, and from them, according to the flesh, is the Messiah. God who is over all be blessed forever. Amen.
Luke 1:67-80
The Canticle of Zechariah
The Evangelist said:
Then John’s father Zechariah was filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke this prophecy: “Blessed be the Lord God of Israel, for he has looked favorably on his people and redeemed them. He has raised up a mighty savior for us in the house of his servant David, as he spoke through the mouth of his holy prophets from of old, that we would be saved from our enemies and from the hand of all who hate us. Thus he has shown the mercy promised to our ancestors, and has remembered his holy covenant, the oath that he swore to our ancestor Abraham, to grant us that we, being rescued from the hands of our enemies, might serve him without fear, in holiness and righteousness before him all our days. And you, child, will be called the prophet of the Most High; for you will go before the Lord to prepare his ways, to give knowledge of salvation to his people by the forgiveness of their sins. By the tender mercy of our God, the dawn from on high will break upon us, to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace.” The child grew and became strong in spirit, and he was in the wilderness until the day he appeared publicly to Israel. This is the truth. Peace be with you.

John the Baptizer is known as someone who spoke the truth. It was because he spoke the truth that he was arrested, leading to his murder. It is not easy to speak the truth. We hide the truth out of fear, but perfect love casts out fear. Love will make us more truthful, but it might not make us more popular.

Lord, have mercy on us and save us.
Glory to you, light of truth and star of glory.
The radiance of your splendor dispels darkness from our minds
and hearts.
O Lord,
grant that in praising you, we may be enlightened,
find our joy in you,
and recognize you as the giver of that light which dispels
darkness and creates morning.
O Father, Son and Holy Spirit, whom all creatures must adore,
to you be glory, for ever.
Amen.