Birth of Saint John the Baptist

Today we celebrate a little Advent “oasis” in the midst of summer, because we celebrate the birth of the forerunner of Christ, the Messiah: St. John the Baptist. With St. John the Baptist’s birth Israel witnessed the first signs of life after centuries of waiting and hoping for salvation.

In today’s First Reading Isaiah envisions the expectation of St. John the Baptist, even while in his mother’s womb, of the lofty mission to which he has been called—the herald of the Messiah. Israel had shared the same expectation for centuries. All of Israel had been waiting for a sign for centuries. When we read the last books written in the Old Testament, we see signs and wonders that occurred centuries before the event we are celebrating today. After spending their whole life awaiting liberation, Israel in the time of St. John was in the hands of a foreign power: the Romans.

In the midst of this, Zachariah and Elizabeth—St. John’s parents—remind us of the fidelity of Israel, but despite them being blameless in the sight of the Lord, God had not blessed them with children. When something like this happened, the Israelites always assumed it meant those suffering from it were cursed by God. Children were one of the greatest signs of blessing for the Israelites. Amidst Zechariah’s worship “routine” (cf. Luke 1:8-17) the sign came: an angel announces to him the answer to his prayers—he would have a son and named him John—and an old woman shows signs of life in her womb as she becomes a mother. Israel was certainly awaiting something flashier—we all like pyrotechnics and special effects (legions of angels, the ground swallowing people up, armies being overthrown), but Zachariah received the sign in private, while worshiping, and only after a lot of prayer.

In today’s Second Reading Paul reminds us that we celebrate St. John the Baptist’s birth today because he was born to herald the coming of the Messiah. John would be the herald of the Messiah, the last prophet, ushering the Old Testament into the New by announcing that the Kingdom of Heaven was at hand, and Israel needed to get ready. John would be the last and greatest prophet. He would see the Messiah begin his saving mission on earth, and also accept that his mission ended as the Messiah’s was beginning.

Today’s Gospel doesn’t mention the reason for Zachariah being mute, but it’s important to understand the context. When the angel appeared to Zachariah and told him he’d be a father Zachariah answered “How shall I know this? For I am an old man, and my wife is advanced in years” (Luke 1:18). His faith wasn’t strong enough, and he was made a mute witness to everything that was about to happen—he saw the angel’s announcement coming true but was unable to tell anyone about it or what had happened to him.

Even though his faith was weak, God still gave him a chance, as we will see. “His name will be John” (cf. Luke 1:13). Signs will come, but they’re always an invitation to go deeper in our faith: God always puts more faith in us than we do in him—he always gives us another chance. Zachariah took his second chance by supporting Elizabeth’s insistence on the name John. The angel had announced “His name will be John” and Zachariah’s second chance at faith by seconding the angel’s words loosed his tongue. Through his faith Zachariah became involved in God’s immense plan of salvation again, and, in turn, his son John became that sign for Israel that the Messiah was coming.

Let’s ask John the Baptist today to help us see where we might be silent spectators regarding God’s plan. What do I think God’s plans are for my life, my family, my corner of the world? How can I give witness to that plan and second it in my own life? Let’s second God’s plans wholeheartedly, enthusiastically, and joyfully, as Zechariah does today, confident that it will help prepare the way for others to encounter the Messiah.

Readings: Isaiah 49:1–6; Psalm 139:1b–3, 13–15; Acts 13:22–26; Luke 1:57–66, 80. See also Birth of St. John the Baptist (2) and Birth of St. John the Baptist.

Today we commemorate the birth of the last Old Testament prophet, but also the prophet who would have the grace of heralding the Messiah. This solemnity, a few months after the Annunciation, remembers the first rays of the dawn of hope that became Our Savior. John, like Mary, is the first rays of a new life that would be restored and one day achieve fullness in Christ. As the First Reading reminds us today he, like Our Lord, would have suffering in the fulfillment of his mission for the sake of the Messiah.

John would be beheaded in prison before Our Lord carried out the work of redemption on the Cross, but the First Reading also reminds us that he would receive his reward and recompense for his service. Even as we celebrate John’s birth today, we also remember his birth into Heaven after successfully completing his mission for the benefit of us all. Even Paul, as today’s Second Reading reminds us, could not forget the role of John, and in many moments of the Acts of the Apostles the disciples encounter those who have only known John, happily baptizing them in Jesus’ name to complete their reconciliation with God.

John is involved in our mission as disciples of Christ, even today. Let’s pray for his intercession on his birthday so that our own mission to herald the Messiah is fruitful.

Readings: Isaiah 49:1–6; Psalm 139:1b–3, 13–15; Acts 13:22–26; Luke 1:57–66, 80. See also Advent, December 23rd and Birth of St. John the Baptist.

Today we celebrate a solemnity commemorating the Birth of St. John the Baptist. It’s celebrated six months before Christmas Eve because, as Luke tells us in his Gospel, John’s mother Elizabeth became pregnant with him sixth months before the Word became flesh in Mary’s womb (see Luke 1:36). John is the last prophet before the coming of the Messiah, the forerunner who announces and prepares a path for him (as Paul reminds us in the Second Reading), which is why his vocation, from his mother’s womb (as the First Reading reminds us today), starts a little before the Messiah’s.

John’s father Zechariah was incredulous when Gabriel told him he’d have a son and that his son would be the prophet who’d prepare the way for the Messiah (see Luke 1:18-23). For sixth months he’d seen the first part of the angel’s prophecy come true, but only as a mute (or, better said, muted) witness. When we don’t unite our plans to God’s plans we make ourselves silent spectators and his plans continue to move forward either with us or without us. Zechariah gets back on track when an opportunity presents itself to show he was back with the program: Elizabeth wanted to name her son John, and the family was confused by this choice. Zechariah not only seconded his wife’s wishes, but God’s as well, and God provided a sign to back it up: the restoration of Zechariah’s voice, just in time for him to start praising the plans of God and his newborn son’s role in it.

Let’s ask John the Baptist today to help us see where we might be silent spectators regarding God’s plan. What do I think God’s plans are for my life, my family, my corner of the world? And how can I give witness to that plan and second it in my own life? Let’s second God’s plans wholeheartedly, enthusiastically, and joyfully, as Zechariah does today, confident that it will help prepare the way for others to encounter the Messiah.

Readings: Isaiah 49:1–6; Psalm 139:1b–3, 13–15; Acts 13:22–26; Luke 1:57–66, 80.