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MEDITATIONS FOR YOUR LIFE OF CHRIST #3
St. John the Baptist, January 7th:
John’s greatest role during his life was enacted on the day of the Theophany, and because of this the Church has, from the earliest times, dedicated the day following that feast to his memory. This day is also connected with an event involving the hand of the Forerunner. The Evangelist Luke desired to take John’s body from Sebaste, where the great prophet had been beheaded by Herod, to Antioch, his own birthplace. He succeeded, though, in acquiring and taking only one hand, which was kept in Antioch till the tenth century. It was then moved to Constantinople, whence it disappeared during the Turkish occupation.
St. John is commemorated several times during the year, but his greatest observance is on this day, January 7th. Among the Gospel-figures surrounding the Saviour, the person of John the Baptist holds a very special place, by the manner of his birth in this world and of his earthly life, by his role of baptiser of men to repentance and his baptism of the Messiah, and, lastly, by the tragic manner of his departure from the world. He was of such moral purity that he indeed deserved the name ‘angel’, as he was named in the Scriptures, rather than being thought of as just a mortal man. John differs from all the other prophets in that he had the joy of showing forth to the world the One Whom he had foretold.
HOMILY
-on submission to the will of God.
“Thy will be done, in earth as it is in heaven” (Matthew 6:10)
Blessed is John the Baptist, for he fulfilled the Gospel before the Gospel! Going out into the wilderness, he delivered himself over wholly to the will of God, in both body and spirit. And the will of God was done in his body on earth as also it was done in his spirit in heaven. Neither hunger nor wild beasts harmed his body during his years in the wilderness, nor did despair harm his spirit in solitude nor pride in heavenly visions. He sought neither bread nor recognition from men.
God gave him all that was needful, for he was completely given over to the will of God. He did not direct his own steps either into the wilderness or out of it. His life was steered by an invisible rudder, for when the time came for him to leave the wilderness and go to meet the Lord, it is written : “The word of the Lord came unto John” (Luke 3:2). John spoke with the simplicity of an innocent child of his intercourse with heavenly powers: “And I knew Him not; but He that sent me to baptise with water, the same said unto me: ‘Upon whom thou shalt see the Spirit descending, and remaining on Him, the same it He who baptiseth with the Holy Spirit.’ And I saw, and bear record that this is the Son of God: (John 1:33-34). So tenderly and simply does he speak of heavenly things! And yet how terrifying he is, how like a lion, when he speaks against unrighteous men, against Herod and Herodias! The lamb and the lion live together within him. Heaven is as near to him as a mother is to her child, and the will of God is as near and clear to him as to the angels in heaven.
O most wise Lord, guide the lives of us sinners in the wilderness of this world to the doing of Thy will, as Thou didst guide the life of St. John the Baptist. To Thee be glory and praise for ever. Amen.
-Taken from “The Prologue from Ochrid”
Quote of the Month:
Therefore, let us use our goods sparingly, as belonging to others, so that they may become our own. How shall we use them sparingly, as belonging to others? When we do not spend them beyond our needs, and do not spend for our needs only, but give equal shares into the hands of the poor. If you are affluent, but spend more than you need, you will give an account of the funds which were entrusted to you. This happens also in great households. Many people have entrusted their financial affairs to their household servants. Those who have received this trust keep what has been given to them, and do not misuse the money, but distribute it where and when their master directs. You also must do this. For you have obtained more than others have, and you have received it, not to spend it for yourself, but to become a good steward for others as well. -taken for St. John Chrysostom, “On Wealth and Poverty
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