Mission San Juan Bautista has been designated the “Mission of Music.” Music was interwoven into the daily life of the California missions: in liturgy, labor, and recreation. At sunrise, a bell called the people to worship, and families were roused by a morning hymn to the Virgin Mary, “Ya viene el alba” (“Now Breaks […]

Image: St. John the Baptist | Alessandro Rosi The Nativity of Saint John the Baptist Saint of the Day for June 24 https://www.franciscanmedia.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/SODJun24.mp3  Saint John the Baptist’s Story Jesus called John the greatest of all those who had preceded him: “I tell you, among those born of women, no one is greater than John….” But John would have agreed completely with what Jesus added: “[Y]et the least in the kingdom of God is greater than he” (Luke 7:28). John spent his time in the desert, an ascetic. He began to announce the coming of the Kingdom, and to call everyone to a fundamental reformation of life. His purpose was to prepare the way for Jesus. His baptism, he said, was for repentance. But one would come who would baptize with the Holy Spirit and fire. John was not worthy even to untie his sandals. His attitude toward Jesus was: “He must increase; I must decrease” (John 3:30). John was […]

Reading 1 Is 49:1-6 Hear me, O coastlands,listen, O distant peoples.The LORD called me from birth,from my mother's womb he gave me my name.He made of me a sharp-edged swordand concealed me in the shadow of his arm.He made me a polished arrow,in his quiver he hid me.You are my servant, he said to […]

Old Testament1 Kings 14:21-31, 1 Kings 15, 1 Kings 16:1-7New TestamentActs 16:16-40Psalms & ProverbsProverbs 15:21-30 […]