Saint John The Baptist - Preparing The Way

By TOM DENNEHY

We celebrate the feast of Saint John The Baptist on June 24th. He carried out the mission given to him by God to prepare the way for the coming of Jesus Christ to our world.

“There came a man sent from God whose name was John. He was not the light, but was sent so that he might testify about the light. The true light that enlightens everyone was coming into the world. John testified about him saying,“ I am the voice of one crying in the wilderness, make ready the way of the Lord; make his paths straight” John 1. 4.10

John came baptizing in the wilderness and preaching repentance for the forgiveness of sins. All the country of Judea and all those of Jerusalem went out to him. They were baptised by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins John was clothed with camel’s hair and a leather belt around his waist. He ate locusts and wild honey. He preached , saying, “After me comes He who is mightier than I and I am not fit to undue the strap of his sandals. I baptise you with water but He will baptise you with the Holy Spirit.” Mark Ch 1. 4.8.

“In those days, Jesus came from Nazareth and was baptised by John in the Jordan. Immediately coming up from the water, he saw the heavens parting and The Spirit descending on Him like a dove . A voice came from Heaven, “You are my beloved Son in whom I am well pleased. “ Mark 1. 9.11.

It was John who pointed out Jesus to the first apostles. Again, the next day, John was standing with two of his disciples, and he looked at Jesus as he walked past and said, “ Behold, the Lamb of God.“ The two disciples heard him speak and they followed Jesus. John 1. 35. 37.

In these Gospel passages we get a great insight into the mission given to John The Baptist and the excellent way he fulfilled that ministry.

John sent his disciples to ask Jesus if he was The Messiah. Jesus sent back this wonderful message to John, “Go back and report what you have seen and heard; The blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised to life, and the good news is proclaimed to the poor.” Matthew 11;5-7.

John condemned Herod for his marriage to Herodias, the divorced wife of his half brother Herod Philip. Herod was afraid to have the popular prophet killed. But Herodias had her revenge on John when she requested his head on a platter as Herod had made a promise to her daughter and did not have the courage to deny her request.

This Church founded by Jesus Christ has today more than 2 billion followers from all over the world and has inspired many great saints such as St. Teresa of Calcutta and thousands more like her to set up institutions to serve the poor, the hungry, help with natural disasters and provide education and care for the sick all over the world.

John prepared the way for the one who came among us and now lives among us through the power of the Holy Spirit. He is the only one who can give us the true peace we all long for. He is our wonder counsellor. He is the one who will never break His promises to us and will continue to love us unconditionally no matter how we respond to His great love and sacrifice for us on the cross for our salvation.

If John the Baptist were to appear again today he would be crying from the roof tops about Jesus and what He has done for us. He would be pointing to Jesus in the Mass and Holy Eucharist just as Our Lady appeared in Medjugorje on June 24th 1981. She first appeared on the Feast day of John The Baptist with the baby Jesus in her arms pointing to Him. Our Lady is still appearing in Medjugorje every day and her message is clear; adore my Son Jesus, truly present in the Mass and spend time with Him in His Eucharistic presence. Pray the rosary and fast on Wednesdays and Fridays. Avail of monthly confessions and read sacred scripture every day.

The message of John The Baptist is the same today, repent and believe the good news of the Gospel. We ask for his intercession to be courageous and prepare the way for the second coming of Jesus and the establishment of His Kingdom on this earth.