John the Baptist was chosen from the womb to prepare the way for Christ. His life of humility, sacrifice, and unwavering witness culminated in martyrdom, a testament to his complete surrender to God’s will. In today’s Gospel, we hear that “everything John said about this man was true.” His words and actions affirmed the coming of the Messiah, calling others to repentance and renewal.

As we near the end of Lent, John, Elizabeth, and the Holy Family challenge us with their examples: How are we preparing the way for Christ in our own lives? How might we embrace sacrifice and service more fully, echoing the fearless devotion of those who loved and knew Jesus so well?

_{^{Image Credit: Fra Paolino, (Italian, ca. 1490-1547), Holy Family with Saint Elizabeth and the Infant Baptist, early 16th century, Oil on panel, Raclin Murphy Museum of Art, University of Notre Dame. Gift of the Samuel H. Kress Foundation, 1961.047.007.}}