24 June 2010: The birth of St John the Baptist

Born six months before our Lord; the son of Zachary and Elizabeth, cousin of our Lady. The last and greatest of the prophets. As the precursor of the Saviour to prepare the Jews for His coming, when He had come, St John bore witness to Him and encouraged his disciples to follow Him. (Fr James Socias, et al [Eds], “Daily Roman Missal”, 1989, p1552)

St John the Baptist

‘And you, O child, shall be called prophet of the Most High.’ These words are about today’s saint. With these words the priest Zachariah greeted his own son, after having regained his power of speech. With these words he greeted the son to whom, through his will and to the surprise of the whole family, he gave the name of ‘John’. Today the Church recalls those events to us by celebrating the solemnity of the birth of St John the Baptist.

It might also be called ‘the day of the calling of John’, son of Zachariah and of Elizabeth of Ain-Karim, to be the last prophet of the Old Alliance, to be the messenger and immediate Forerunner of the Messiah -- Jesus Christ. For he, who came into the world in such unusual circumstances, bore the Divine Call with him.

This call derived from the design of God himself, from his salvific love, and was written in the history of man from the very moment of his conception in the womb of his mother. All the circumstances of that conception, together with the birth itself of John at Ain-Karim, indicate an unusual call. ...

We know John the Baptist responded to that call with the whole of his life. We know he remained faithful to it until his last breath. And that breath was breathed in prison, by order of Herod, at the desire of Salome, acting at instigation of her vengeful mother, Herodias. The liturgy does not mention that; but keeps it for another day.

Today the liturgy tells us to rejoice at the birth of the Precursor of the Lord. It tells us to give thanks to God for the call given to John the Baptist.

Ref: cf “Prayers and Devotions from Pope John Paul II”, pp234-5

The mission of St John the Baptist

“There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. He came as a witness to testify to the light, so that all might believe through him.” (Jn 1:6-7) “Behold, I send my messenger ahead of you, who shall prepare your way; the voice of one crying in the wilderness: ‘Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight’ ...” (Mk 1:2-3)

“... the Church celebrates the birth of John as something sacred, and he is in fact the only saint whose day of birth is celebrated; we celebrate the birth of John and that of Christ.” (St Augustine, “Sermon 293”, 1)

John the Baptist fulfilled his mission so faithfully. Today we can ask ourselves if we, too prepare others to meet our Lord. As Christians, we are the forerunners of Christ. “The Lord uses us as torches, to make that light shine out. ... if we respond many people will remain in darkness no longer, but will walk instead along paths that lead to eternal life.” (St Josemaria Escrivá, “The Forge”, 1)

The precursor’s role is to disappear when the one he heralds has arrived. “... this is why God allowed John to suffer an early death, so that once he had disappeared all the fervour of the crowd would be directed towards Christ rather than being shared between the two.” (St John Chrysostom, “Homilies on St John’s Gospel”, 29, 1)

Humility and detachment are the essential virtues for anyone who announces Christ. Of the twelve Apostles, the Gospels mention five who had been disciples of John. Most likely the other seven also were or at least had known him and could give witness of his preaching. (cf Acts 1:22)

Let us ask God: ‘May I be like a reed-pipe, simple and hollow, where only you make the sound. ...’ your voice, Lord, where you want me to live.

Ref: cf F Fernandez, “In Conversation with God”, 6:357-63

The Joy of Reconciliation

“Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight.”(Lk 3:4) John the Baptist’s testimony suggests that to go and meet the Lord it is necessary to create ‘desert’ spaces within us and around us -- opportunities to give up what is superfluous; seek the essential, an atmosphere of silence and prayer.

St John the Baptist invites us above all to return to God, decisively fleeing sin, which infects the human heart and causes man to lose the joy of meeting the Lord ...

It is especially through the sacrament of reconciliation that Christians can experience this, rediscovering the truth of their own existence in the light of God’s word. They can taste the joy of being once more at peace with themselves and God.

Ref: John Paul II, “Breakfast With the Pope”, 1995, 82

Meekness of the Heart of Jesus -- ‘Manifested in the sacrifice of His life’

Jesus is innocence itself. He had no sins to expiate. Therefore, he had a full right to enjoy all pleasures of this life. Nevertheless, he made a generous sacrifice of them, passing his whole life subject to most severe sufferings both of body and soul, as no one had ever endured.

The most generous sacrifice one man can make for another is, in our Lord’s words, the sacrifice of his life: to die to save another from death. This, then, is what Jesus has done for each one of us. We can all say with St Paul, ‘He loved me, and delivered himself for me’.

Is this great proof of the love of Jesus ever present in our minds? Does it excite us to gratitude? Does this gratitude appear in works, in a readiness to make sacrifices? Or do we unwittingly evade such chances? Our hearts are far from the adorable Heart of Jesus.

Ref: cf "Practical Meditations by a Father of the Society of Jesus", 1964, pp330-31

Our Lady -- “The solitude of Mary. Alone! ... She weeps, forsaken. You and I should keep our Lady company, and weep too, for our sins have fastened Jesus to the cross -- with nails.” (St Josemaria Escrivá, “The Way”, 503)

Our Lady of Clos-Evrard, near Treves. This image was fastened to an oak by a vinedresser who wished to honor it; but Our Lady ordered him to build a small hut in her honor. The miracles which were wrought there caused this hut first, to be exchanged for a little chapel, and at last for a church, which was dedicated in the year 1449 by James de. Rircq, Archbishop of Treves. — Triple Couronne, n. S2. (“Catholic Gems or Treasures of the Church” Historical Calendar; http://www.bethlehemobserver.com)

Our Lady of the Clos-Evrard (Near Treves, Germany). (maryfest.htm / www.starharbor.com/santiago/m_feasts.html)

Our Lady of Clos-Evrard (Trier, Germany, 1449).(http://www.divinewill.org/feastofourlady.htm); (http://www.starharbor.com/santiago/m feasts.html); (MaryLinks Calendar.htm); (www.iskandar.com/ourlady/ourladyfeasts.html)