St. John the Baptist

Tomorrow is the feast day of the Nativity of St John the Baptist (June 24). The last great prophet of the Old Testament (before the revelation of Jesus as the Messiah), John was brave, humble, and devoted to God. He leapt in his mother’s womb when she was visited by the Blessed Virgin Mary, who was carrying Jesus in hers. John recognized the Messiah even then. He knew he was not worthy to baptize Jesus, but conceded to His wishes and then witnessed the dove descending from Heaven on Jesus and the voice of God saying, “This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.” John also previously had described himself as not being worthy to loosen the thongs of Jesus’ sandals. After the baptism, John declares that he must decrease while Jesus must increase.

St John’s bravery can be seen in his very actions of preaching the Messiah and baptizing people, even though it was a dangerous time with pressure from the Jews and the Roman authorities. His declaring the truth about sin and the need for repentance brought him no end of trouble. He publicly criticized Herod for marrying his brother’s wife Herodias and John ended up in prison. Herod’s step-daughter Salome agreed to dance for Herod if he would give her whatever she asked for. He did and she did and she asked for John the Baptist’s head. The Bible doesn’t reveal what then happened to Salome, but in Richard Strauss’ opera, based on the play by Oscar Wilde, Herod has her killed.

On hearing of John’s death, Jesus responds, “I tell you, among those born of woman none is greater than John; yet he who is least in the kingdom of God is greater than he.” Certainly John’s reward for his faithfulness was greater than any suffering he endured in his life and death on Earth.

St. John the Baptist, pray for us.