Today’s readings explain the essence of a Christian’s life. Who are we? Where have we come from? What is the purpose of my life? Where am I going after death? These are perennial questions that rise up in any human being. Don’t we like to have answers for these questions? We do! Well, the answers are; we come from the heart of God, I am a child of God, I have come to do your will, O God, I go back to the heart of God. Today’s first reading says that God has chosen us even before we were born. The Psalmist took this reality further on to say “I praise you, for I am wonderfully made”. We are children of God. This is our true identity and there is no turning back but to live God’s will in our lives. That is the purpose of our lives. St. John the Baptist lived his life according to God’s will. The Gospel proclamation beautifully proclaimed the identity of St. John the Baptist and described the purpose of his life. A life lived perfectly on earth, in accordance with God’s will, will certainly cross the threshold to eternity.

Prayer: Abba Father, grant me grace to live your purpose in my life. Amen.