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The Saga of Saint John the Baptist
Submitted by Thomas Stidl
A few days ago we celebrated the birth of Saint John the Baptist. How did John receive his name? His father’s name was Zechariah. Zechariah was a priest who went to offer sacrifice as part of his priestly ministries. He went inside to offer sacrifice on behalf of the people when the Angel Gabriel spoke to him and told him that his wife Elizabeth would bear a son to be named John. Unfortunately, Zechariah doubted the angel’s word. Gabriel then told him that he would not be able to speak until Elizabeth gave birth and named her son John. The people outside the temple suspected that something happened to Zechariah when he did not exit in the time allotted. When he finally exited the temple and could not speak, the curiosity of the surrounding area grew.
In the meantime, Mary, the Mother of God, heard about Elizabeth’s pregnancy, and hurried to Elizabeth in the hill country. When Mary met Elizabeth, John leaped in Elizabeth’s womb. He met his Lord and cousin. Elizabeth was overjoyed to see Mary exclaiming in humility that the Mother of God should come to her. We then hear Mary giving us the beautiful prayer known as the Magnificat (Luke 1:46-55). This is the first payer that we are given. Mary assisted Elizabeth through her pregnancy and stayed with Elizabeth through the birth of John. Once John was born and after eight days of life, they were about to name him after his father. Elizabeth told all that his name would be John. The relatives and friends then asked Zechariah what his name should be. He motioned for writing utensils. He wrote that his son’s would be John. At once, Zechariah’s tongue was freed and he gave us the second prayer known as the canticle of Zechariah (Luke 1:68-79). After John’s birth, Mary went home to prepare for the birth of Jesus, her son.
We do not know much about the childhood of John. We do not know if Jesus and John visited each other from scripture. Maybe they got together during the high holy feast days in Jerusalem, but we will never know until we join them in the heaven. The only meeting that scripture gives us is the baptism of Jesus. Before that baptism there was a discussion of who should be baptizing whom. Jesus convinced John to baptize Him. John even told the crowd that Jesus is the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world. After John baptized Jesus, John heard the voice of God the Father speaking to Jesus, “You are my beloved Son in whom I am well pleased.” Then, a dove representing the Holy Spirit came and rested on Jesus. John continued to baptize in the Jordan up to the time of his arrest and eventual beheading.
One day in realms of clearer light, my wish for everyone is that we will hear the Father’s voice saying to each of us, “You are my beloved son or daughter and in you I am well pleased.”
Until next time, Laus Tibi, Christe. Deo Gratias. Gloria Tibi Domini. Praise be to God. See you in Paradise. Amen.
