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SOLEMNITY: BIRTH OF JOHN THE BAPTIST
I have always liked the suggestion of Pius Parsch – who wrote years ago that the Solemnity of the Nativity of John the Baptist anticipates that of Christmas! The Christmas season has for its object the mystery of God become man, to which there is little reference during the remaining part of the year, except the Annunciation and John’s Birth. In a sense, then, we are celebrating Christ’s Incarnation today! In Luke’s) Gospel the events of John’s birth are seen to closely parallel those of Christ’s birth. Just as the birth of Jesus was announced to Mary, so John’s birth was announced to Zechariah. It was the angel Gabriel who appeared in both instances. Zechariah was troubled and seized with fear as was Mary. Gabriel assured both of them with the words: “Do not be afraid!”.
When describing a well- known person, in this instance a saint, it’s best to consult the most reliable source . For St John the Baptist that source is – The Catechism of the Catholic Church. (Quote) “John the Baptist is more than a Prophet. In him, the Holy Spirit concludes his speaking through the prophets. John completes the cycle of prophets begun by Elijah. He proclaims the imminence of the consolation of Israel; he is the voice of the Consoler who is coming. As the Spirit of truth will also do, John came to bear witness to the light. In John’s sight, the Spirit thus brings to completion the careful search of the prophets and fulfills the longing of the angels. “Behold, the Lamb of God.” (end)
High praise indeed of him – who is the only person after the Lord Jesus and his holy Mother, whose birthday the Church commemorates, and to whom we owe that priceless revelation – “Behold the Lamb of God!”
John’s whole life was to be such that he may be regarded as the one who most closely approached being considered the peer of Jesus. As far as we know – John performed no miracles, but he did what he could, he baptized Jesus with water. But, it was precisely this simple act, this humble occasion that the Father had awaited – in order to send forth the Spirit upon “His beloved Son”.
The Baptist has always been a great patron of the Christian people, and especially of those called to the monastic life, or as it is sometimes called – “The
‘ Desert’ of the Monastic Life. No one, monks, or nuns, or anyone else is called into the desert in order to reinforce their own image of themselves, but to be de-ivered from it! John is a model for this kind of liberation. We too must say and mean with him what he said about Jesus :“He must increase, I must decrease!”
This Saint we honor today has been given to us as a model of total commitment to God and to God’s will. This involves real poverty of spirit, purity of heart , as manifested through – humility, self-effacement and obedience, three words that represent a life-style far removed from the values reflected by our contemporary culture (or lack thereof). Living these essential values we are to do what we can, trusting in the Lord that his plan is being worked out in us.
The ultimate paradox, the more we decrease the more and more we are filled with the life of God. What a truly ‘wonderful exchange’! Amen
(Isa 49: l-6, Acts 13:22-26, Luke l:57-66,80) Fr Alan GETHSEMANI