St John the Baptist's Nativity, a 6/24 SOLEMNITY

When the time arrived for Elizabeth to have her child she gave birth to a son. 
Her neighbors and relatives heard that the Lord had shown his great mercy toward her, 
and they rejoiced with her. 
When they came on the eighth day to circumcise the child, 
they were going to call him Zechariah after his father, 
but his mother said in reply, “No. 
He will be called John.” But they answered her, 
“There is no one among your relatives who has this name.” 
So, they made signs, asking his father what he wished him to be called. 
He asked for a tablet and wrote, 
“John is his name,” and all were amazed. 
Immediately his mouth was opened, his tongue freed, 
and he spoke blessings to God.

--Luke 1:57-64 

Introduction. On June 24, we celebrate the 2nd greatest birth in history. In Matthew 11:11, Jesus declares, “Amen, I say to you, among those born of women there has been none greater than John the Baptist." Only 2 birthdays are solemnities: John's & our Saviour's. From a military veteran's perspective, was St. John the Baptist the battle buddy of Jesus? The purpose of this post is to understand the greatness of St John and meditate upon today's many incongruencies. Our Blessed Mother Mary’s birthday is a feast, why not a solemnity? The Immaculate Conception of Mary is a solemnity, but why not a feast?
 
Background. In Saint John the Baptist’s time, sterility was related to sin and God’s disfavor.  Hebrews 12:6 tells us differently. "Those that God loves; he chastises more." Divine discipline is an expression of God's love. Proof is Jesus and the lives of the saints. While God's love for us is infinite, His pleasure with each, and bestowed blessings are different. If life on earth is a test, some claim it is measured in degrees of holiness. Sincere fiats are paired with temptations to disrupt our holiness. This is not a punishment. With suffering comes grace, consolations, and even miracles. God wants role models that glorify him through infinite trust and surrender i.e. Job. Moreover, look at the greatness that God brought forth from these barren women. 

• Sarah (Abraham) birthed Isaac at age 90.
• Hannah (Elkanah) bore Samuel at >70 years of age.
• Elizabeth (Zechariah) gave birth to John when she was “advanced in years.”

Key Point 1. When Archangel Gabriel told Zechariah of John's arrival, it was in overwhelming accolades. No disrespect but in today's parlance, John was to be Jesus' wingman, second, battle buddy or other significant synonym. It is no wonder that Zechariah sustained vocal cord paralysis from his cynicism. The angelic verbiage was superlatively overwhelming in telling God's plan for John. Zechariah was told that John... 

• will be great in the sight of the Lord…
• be filled with the Holy Spirit even from his mother’s womb
• turn many of the children of Israel to the Lord…
• will go before him in the spirit and power of Elijah…
• turn the hearts of fathers toward children…
• to prepare a people fit for the Lord” (Luke 1:15–17). 

Key Point 2. At the Annunciation, Archangel Gabriel told Mother Mary about Jesus. Moreover, St. Gabriel added, “And behold, Elizabeth, your relative, has also conceived a son in her old age. This is the 6th month for she who was called barren, for nothing is impossible for God” (Luke 1:36–37). In the Father’s plan for salvation, John and Jesus’ missions were connected. Evidence is when Mary visits her cousin in Ein Karem. Today, there is a church onsite with 1 statue of all 4 souls. The women's faces are muted to emphasize their fertile and ripening bellies, which almost touch. This sculpture portrays a holy unification of the babies. It signifies the reach, the closeness and the connection between these boys. Saint Thomas Aquinas pens that at that very moment, John was sanctified, he was cleansed of original sin and prepped for his sacred mission. Saint Thomas speculates further: “Perhaps also in this child, the use of reason and will was so far accelerated that while in his mother’s womb he was able to acknowledge, believe, and consent. Whereas in other children we have to wait for these things until we grow older: this again I count as a miraculous result of the divine power” (Summa Theologica 3.27.6). John lept for joy upon learning God's plan for him. St Luke writes, “Then fear came upon all their neighbors, and all these matters were discussed throughout the hill country of Judea. All who heard these things took them to heart, saying, ‘What, then, will this child be?’ For surely the hand of the Lord was with him” (Luke 1:65–66).

Key Point 3. As we celebrate this birthday, there are two more perspectives to consider. First, look at it from a Heavenly and eternal perspective. The angels and saints will forever glorify God for this great event and for the significant role that John played in the history of salvation. Not only did he pave the way, he admitted his unworthiness to unstrap Jesus' sandals. Moreover, John knew when to be quiet with these words, "He must increase, I must decrease." We can all learn something from John's true humility.

Key Point 4. From a human perspective, consider the changes in Elizabeth and Zechariah. The barren couple that had suffered in the eyes of many, were now the parents of the something miraculous. John would assist Jesus in opening the gates of Heaven, to all who believe. Other than the Solemnity of the Birth of Christ (Christmas), the Church honors only Saint John with a solemnity on his birth. While our Blessed Mother’s Immaculate Conception is commemorated with a solemnity, her birth is celebrated with a feast. It is a great honor, indeed, to honor this unique man’s birth with the highest rank of celebration within our Church.

Conclusion. John the Baptist’s purpose in life was to herald the way of the Lord--as a man, to man--in birth, baptism, public ministry and martyrdom. Even the church fathers say John will come before Him on the last day to judge the living and the dead. John was the precursor of all Christ’s comings. Forever, John the Baptist will prepare the way of the Lord in the hearts of nations and mankind. Just as our Blessed Mother Mary is the co-mediatrix of all graces so too is John the precursor of all conversions. Our redemption, in part, is due to the first baptisms of our brother, John. It is he who called us all to repent and to convert; ultimately bringing us to God. This is a day to think about Advent, as when John appears, the Messiah is not far behind! Those named John or Joanna, have truly received a special gift through this name. Thank you St. John, for your fiat. 

Saint John the Baptist, you were conceived by God’s special grace 
and given to parents who were barren and advanced in years. 
Through your conception and birth, 
God can do anything and chose to bring forth John to prepare Jesus' way. 
Please pray that we will more fully understand your role in salvation history.
Help us to be more open to what God has revealed through your holy life. 
Saint John the Baptist, pray for us.
Blessed Mother Mary, pray for us. 
Jesus, I trust in You.

Catholic 365 | Prayers to Saint John the Baptist - An Overlooked but Powerful and Necessary Intercessor

Ein Karem: The church of the Visitation

Summary of the Summa Theologica Thomas Aquinas