From the desk of the Tar Heel disciple:
June 21, 2026 (#110)
St. John the Baptist (Part II)
As noted in the previous posting, the feast of the Nativity of Saint John the Baptist, celebrated on June 24th, is ranked among the most important feasts of the Church, liturgically. For centuries, throughout Europe, “Saint John’s fires” have been lit on hillsides and mountain tops on the night of the 23rd. And yet, the fires of devotion do not appear to be so strong in our own time. Perhaps the figure of a lone prophet crying out in the wilderness, forcefully calling Israel to account, is particularly unattractive to our own culture and times? In addition, the immediate cause of his death, the revenge of a divorced and remarried woman whose marriage was called into question is too sensitive a topic, even for the majority of the Catholic faithful, who have come to casually accept so many forms of “marriage.”
According to the Gospel of Saint John the Evangelist (3:30), John the Baptist famously said of himself in relationship to the Savior, “He must increase, while I must decrease.” But perhaps an increase of devotion to this valiant saint would enable us to follow more faithfully in the footsteps of the same Savior, whose sandal straps we, like John, are not worthy to untie (John 1:27). In the tradition of the Christian East, John is referred to as “The Precursor.” In the words of Saint Ambrose, “Precursor at his birth, Precursor at his death, Saint John still continues to go before the Lord.” Perhaps, we would do well to more faithfully follow! Of course, opposing the political and social currents of the time is never easy. But for the faithful disciple of Jesus, it is sometimes necessary.
However, John should not only be recognized as an icon of opposition with its resulting conflict. The prophecy of his father, the priest Zachariah, regarding his yet to be born son (John) is also true: “You, my child, shall be called the prophet of the Most High; for you will go before the Lord to prepare his way, to give his people knowledge of salvation by the forgiveness of their sins. In the tender compassion of our God the dawn from on high break upon us, to shine on those who dwell in darkness and the shadow of death, and to guide our feet into the way of peace.” (Luke 1:76-79)
Devotion to this saint can not only strengthen our resolve to speak the truth plainly and boldly, when and as required, but also to follow in the way that leads to greater knowledge of the will of God, the forgiveness of our sins, and the way of peace.
St. John the Baptist, pray for us!
Devotional materials related to St. John the Baptist can be found at:
https://inhisname.com/search?options%5Bprefix%5D=last&q=St.+John+the+baptist
