The Solemnity of the Nativity of Saint John the Baptist

It was of him that the prophet Isaiah had spoken when he said: “A voice of one crying out in the desert,  ‘Prepare the way of the Lord, make straight his paths.’” – Matthew 3:3

The celebration of the Solemnity of the Nativity of John the Baptist is a rare event in the liturgical calendar of the church. There are only two other times we celebrate a nativity in the church’s calendar year. Jesus said of John: “I tell you, among those born of women, no one is greater than John….” (Luke 7:28).

About
John the Baptist spent his adult life preparing the way for Jesus, and proclaiming that “the Kingdom of Heaven is close at hand.”. He was born to Zachary and Elizabeth, an elderly married couple. The Angel Gabriel had visited Zachary and told him that his wife would bear a child, even though she was already past the child-bearing age.

Elizabeth was Mary’s cousin and Zachary was a priest of the Temple in Jerusalem. As a baby in the womb, John recognized Jesus’ presence in Mary’s womb when Mary visited Elizabeth soon after the Annunciation. Both women were pregnant at the same time.

John was probably born at Ain-Karim, which is southwest of Jerusalem. As a young adult, he lived as a hermit in the desert of Judea until about A.D. 27. When he was 30, he began to preach on the banks of the Jordan, calling for repentance and baptizing people in the river waters. When Jesus came to John to be baptized, John recognized Jesus as the Messiah and baptized Him, saying: “It is I who need baptism from you.”

John continued to preach after Jesus was baptized, but was imprisoned not long after by Herod Antipas, after he denounced the king’s adulterous marriage with Herodias, wife of his half-brother Philip.

John was beheaded at the request of Salome, daughter of Herodias. Many came to know Jesus through John, namely the Apostles Andrew and John.

Prayer to St. John the Baptist
O God, You raised up St. John the Baptist to prepare a perfect people for Christ. We call upon St. John's intercession to properly prepare us with a true sense of repentance to receive Your grace and salvation. Make us faithful to truth and justice, as You did Your servant, John the Baptist, herald of Your Son's birth and death.
Lord, may You increase Your life within us.
Amen.


(Source: Catholic News Agency; Image: ucatholic.com)