The Martyrdom of Saint John the Baptist
John the Baptist is the only saint whom the Church honors twice a year: on June 24 - on the feast of his birth, and on August 29 - on the commemoration of his martyrdom.
The Prophet of Jordan - St. John the Baptist
Many children come into the world every day. But not everyone is announced by an angel. Many people celebrate their birthday. But not all of them are remembered for twenty centuries. When the Archangel announced, " Do not be afraid, Zechariah, because your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you shall name him John.” (cf. Lk 1:13), everything was left between the Archangel and Zechariah. Nine months later, the announced son was born. The Evangelist writes: " All these matters were discussed throughout the hill country of Judea" (cf. Lk 1.65). But the whole " hill country " is several kilometers each way, and all together very far from the high-profile matters of the world. The history director put it in a strange way. But He prepared the roles for everyone very consistently.
God has destined the role of the Voice
And it was a significant role. God is the Word. In a word, he creates the world. With the word of the Decalogue - as with a sword - he draws the line between good and evil. With a word of prophetic admonition, it destroys human schemes, and with a word of comfort it awakens hope. Therefore, in the Prologue of the fourth Gospel, we read: "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God" (cf. Jn. 1: 1). The Word made flesh before it could speak itself needed a Voice. John, son of Zechariah, was aware of this. When they came to question him about who he believed he was, he said: " I am ‘the voice of one crying out in the desert, “Make straight the way of the Lord, as Isaiah the prophet said” (cf. Jn. 1:23).
But why did they come to ask him? How did he get attention? Appearance? Undoubtedly so: " John wore clothing made of camel’s hair and had a leather belt around his waist. His food was locusts and wild honey." (Mt 3: 4). Let us add to this, uncropped hair - a sign of a man consecrated to God, who has renounced love for a woman and wine. This voice rebuked severely. But when I read that "At that time Jerusalem, all Judea, and the whole region around the Jordan were going out to him " (cf. Mt 3: 5), I guess that people were drawn to John's goodness and nobility. Prophets, whose main activities are disciplines and rebukes, are passed by crowds.
The goodness of John the Baptist was very consistent
It was not the goodness of indulgence, but the goodness guarding the Good. A capital letter is needed here. Because there is the Objective Good, Good which is the deepest and ultimate norm and model of every good. Jesus says: "No one is good but God alone" (cf. Lk 18:19). The living Word of God, like a double-edged sword, penetrates everything (cf. Heb. 4:12) and draws the limits of good - therefore the one who was the Voice had to - and wanted - to be faithful to the Word. So, he went to the king to tell him, "You must not have your brother's wife." He went to put an end to evil. It cost John dearly. We read in the Gospel: “Herod feared John, knowing him to be a righteous and holy man, and kept him in custody. When he heard him speak, he was very much perplexed, yet he liked to listen to him. " (cf. Mk 6:20)
Isn't that a picture of every man who knows where the good is - but doesn't have the strength to do it? Herodias also knew where the line between good and evil was. Therefore, " Herodias harbored a grudge against him and wanted to kill him" (cf. Mk 6:19). Was she the only one who wanted to silence the Voice? Of course not! Every day, many people try to drown out the voice of their conscience. We do these different ways. Yes, yes - we ... Because who of us has not tried to silence the voice of conscience at least once in a lifetime?
Point to Jesus
God entrusted such a man with the mission of pointing to Jesus as the Expected One. He did so at Jordan when he recognized the Holy One among the multitude of sinners. He fulfilled his duty: he washed Jesus with the water of penance. God prepared him for this moment. And John was faithful at that moment, as he had always been faithful to what is good. He paid for this fidelity with his life. As a Voice, he was faithful to the Word to the end. As a man he deserved the unique praise from Jesus' mouth: "Among those born of women there is no greater than John" (cf. Lk 7:28). Great by calling, great by fidelity, great by goodness, the Prophet from over the Jordan River. He disappeared in the splendor of Jesus - but this is why He was called so that Jesus would grow and he would decrease (cf. John 3:30).
Until Tomorrow
fr. george