Solemnity of the Nativity of Saint John the Baptist
“For greater things you were born.” (Ven. Mother Luisita)
THURSDAY, June 24th Lk. 1: 57-66, 80 SOLEMNITY OF THE NATIVITY OF SAINT JOHN THE BAPTIST “He will be called John.”
I. JOHN THE BAPTIST ABOUT JESUS… Mt. 3:11-12
“I baptize you with water for repentance. But after me comes one who is more powerful than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.”
“His winnowing fork is in his hand, and he will clear his threshing floor, gathering his wheat into the barn and burning up the chaff with unquenchable fire.” (cf Mt. 25:31-46)
II. JESUS ABOUT JOHN THE BAPTIST… Mt. 11:7-15
Jesus began to speak to the crowd about John:
“What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed swayed by the wind? If not, what did you go out to see? A man dressed in fine clothes? No, those who wear fine clothes are in kings’ palaces. Then what did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet. This is the one about whom it is written:
‘I will send my messenger ahead of you,
who will prepare your way before you.’
And if you are willing to accept it, he is the Elijah who was to come.”
III. JESUS ABOUT US… Mt. 11:11
“Truly I tell you, among those born of women there has not risen anyone greater than John the Baptist; yet whoever is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.”
SAINT JOHN THE BAPTIST POINTS THE WAY TO CHRIST! A GLORIOUS EXAMPLE WORTHY OF IMITATION!!! By Fr. Ed Broom, OMV
“I am the voice crying out in the desert: ‘Prepare the way for the Lord.’” Again: “I am not the Christ, nor Elijah, nor the Great Prophet.” Then, “He must increase, and I must decrease.” And, “I am not even worthy to unfasten his sandal-straps.” All of these expressions resound from the voice and heart of the same person: SAINT JOHN THE BAPTIST! Speaking of this person, Jesus exalts him to a sublime degree: “Of all men born of women, none is greater than John the Baptist.”
The lessons that the great Saint John the Baptist can teach us are many. These lessons in virtue can easily motivate all of us, in this precise moment, to abandon a life of sin or mediocrity and pursue a life of heroic virtue, to pursue a life of great holiness. Chapter V of the Dogmatic Constitution of Vatican II Lumen Gentium commands us to holiness of life. This chapter is the Universal Call to Holiness. Jesus stated it succinctly and unequivocally: “Be holy as your heavenly Father is holy.” (Mt. 5:48)
Therefore, let us learn from the person of the great Saint John the Baptist to abandon a life of tepidity, lukewarmness and apathy and allow the fire of the Holy Spirit, and the example and prayers of Saint John the Baptist, to ignite an ardent flame within us.
1. MARY AND SAINT JOHN THE BAPTIST.
There is an intimate connection and bond of holiness between Mary and Saint John the Baptist. Mary visited John when he was still in the womb of his mother, Saint Elizabeth. Mary’s word, and the silent presence of Jesus in her womb, caused John the Baptist to leap for joy in the womb of his mother and be filled with the Holy Spirit, resulting in his sanctification. Our Lady’s presence and word can also sanctify each and every one of us.
2. THE PRO-LIFE SAINT.
In a world characterized by loss of respect for life from the moment of conception until natural death, it is worthy of note that the parents of John welcomed him even in their old age. Beyond the normal age of child-bearing, Elizabeth said YES to life and brought forth Saint John the Baptist. Every child in the womb is precious and a true gift from God, endowed with a special mission.
3. DESERT-EXPERIENCE.
Saint John the Baptist did not launch himself into a flurry of activity right away, nor did Jesus! Rather, like Jesus, John spent long years in preparation. Jesus spent His formative years in the family of Nazareth. According to tradition, Saint John the Baptist spent long years in the desert preparing himself for his great mission. He was called to prepare the way of the Lord, but he first had to prepare himself. How important the lesson of the Baptist for us? To be successful Apostles, we must prepare ourselves by means of prayer, penance, and self-discipline. The more exact and demanding the preparation, the more abundant the apostolic fruits!
4. SILENCE.
In the desert, far distant from noise and clatter, and the cacophony of strident protests, the Baptist settled in silence, propitious for listening attentively to the Word of God. What a powerful lesson. Pope Benedict XVI commented to seminarians in New York on how difficult it is today to hear the voice of the Lord because of the reality of being bombarded by so many alien noises. May Saint John the Baptist help us to cherish silence! “Speak, O Lord, for your servant is listening.” (1 Sam 3:10)
5. PENANCE.
To soar to the heights in the spiritual life like an eagle, we need two wings: the wings of prayer and penance. In a world imbued with hedonism, sensuality, gluttony, drinking bouts, and the philosophy of pleasure, the lifestyle of the Baptist is a countersign and very counter-cultural! No elegant, gourmet dining for the Baptist! Quite the contrary, his nourishment was locusts and wild honey, being fed from God’s gratuitous gifts of nature.
6. A SIMPLE, FRUGAL LIFE-STYLE.
How much time, energy, and money are wasted on luxurious buying and having, related to wardrobe. Saint John the Baptist challenges us to look deeply into our own buying and having with respect to our wardrobe and dress! How did the Baptist dress? Quite simply: he donned a camel’s fur garment and wore a leather belt around his waist. He had no need for a closet to store extra clothing! Let’s examine our wardrobe and buying sprees from the perspective of the Baptist.
7. HIS PREACHING STYLE AND METHOD.
The preaching style of the Baptist and his message were simple, direct and to the point. He did not mince words, nor waste words. The very essence of his preaching could be summarized in one simple word: CONVERSION!!! Very similar to the first preaching of Jesus: “Be converted; the Kingdom of God is at hand.” (Mk. 1:15)
8. HIS DISCIPLES.
A very interesting note is that of his close disciples; who were they? Actually, some of the Apostles that Jesus chose were already being formed and taught by Saint John the Baptist. Among these were Saint John the Evangelist, as well as Saint Andrew. John the Baptist pointed to Jesus and said, “The Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world.” Hearing this, Saint Andrew and Saint John the Evangelist left the Baptist to follow Jesus. (Jn. 1: 20, 36-38) What profound humility in the Baptist, allowing his disciples and friends to leave him so that they could follow in the company of Jesus! The Baptist considered himself a mere sign—always paving the way and pointing to Jesus! What an example for us!
9. HIS MISSION.
Saint John the Baptist had no identity-crisis. He knew with utmost clarity who he was, where he was called to be, and exactly what his mission entailed. Baptisms! The latter part of his life, he was called to the Jordan River where he would summon the people to a life of conversion and then he would baptize them. A culminating moment in his life is when Jesus enters the scene at the Jordan River and asks to be baptized by John the Baptist. Despite his feelings of unworthiness, the Baptist humbly submits to the request of Jesus and baptizes the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world. In this moment the profound mystery of the Blessed Trinity becomes manifest. The voice of God the Father is heard, Jesus enters into the waters thereby sanctifying all future waters used to baptize, and the Holy Spirit becomes manifest in the presence of the Dove.
10. HIS GLORIOUS GRAND FINALE!
The Grand Finale of the life of SAINT JOHN THE BAPTIST was his glorious death. He was martyred. The primary reason for the glorious death of Saint John the Baptist was his courage in denouncing publicly the adulterous, incestuous and scandalous relations of King Herod. The cowardly and wicked king had actually taken the wife of his brother, Philip, and made her his own. The Kingdom was muted, but not John the Baptist. He raised a clarion voice of denunciation: “It is not right for you to live with her!” (Mt. 14:4) For this, John was incarcerated. Then on the occasion of the birthday of the wicked King and a lascivious dance, the King sent executioners to the prison to decapitate Saint John the Baptist. This great saint died to defend the indissoluble character of Holy Matrimony and the evil of divorce and adultery. He lost his physical life but gained Heaven for all eternity!
His miraculous conception, his prayerful and penitential preparation in the desert, and a life spent calling for repentance and conversion of life, ultimately leading to the glorious death of Saint John the Baptist, can most splendidly serve as a model for all of us who yearn for a life of authentic holiness. May we ardently desire to live out his virtues: prayer, penance, silence, humility, detachment, mission, love for Jesus, love for the truth, and undaunted courage to face evil and deceit with a willingness to die for the truth, should the Lord give us the grace! Great and Glorious Saint John the Baptist, pray for us!
