Word to the Wise
Thursday, June 24, 2010 - Nativity of St. John the Baptist
[Isaiah 49:1-6; Acts 13:22-26; Luke 1:57-66, 80]The child grew and become strong in spirit, and he was in the desert until the day of his manifestation to Israel. [Luke]
Anyone with an eye to such things can figure out why the feast of the Nativity of John the Baptist is celebrated on June 24th. Once the church decided that the birth of Jesus would be celebrated on December 25th, the biological and scriptural math was easy. The Annunciation had to be nine months before - March 25. Elizabeth was reported by the angel as being six months pregnant at the time, so John's birth had to occur on or around June 24th (just to be sure!). Luke is the author of both the second scripture and the gospel scripture today. He has St. Paul stating the basic message about John the Baptist that also appears in the "infancy narrative" of the gospel. John is the forerunner, the herald, and NOT the messiah! John is portrayed as powerful and also eccentric! He would probably make a good media figure in our own day. The way his life ends has been the subject of considerable art and music - a head on a platter! The mind boggles at the thought of what a contemporary birthday party might yield! But we musn't let the sensational aspects of his life obscure the message he brought, or the challenges he proposed to all who came to listen to him. Repentance and conversion are a strong preparation program, and Jesus would confirm those as part of his own message. Celebrating the birthday of John the Baptist can serve as a reminder of our need for those. Happy Birthday, John! AMEN