St. John the Baptist

    St. Bede, a venerable father of the church, said in a homily on the feast commemorating the beheading of John the Baptist (August 29th), "Through his birth, preaching and baptizing, he bore witness to the coming birth, preaching and baptism of Christ, and by his own suffering he showed that Christ would also suffer...John was baptized in his own blood, though; he had been privileged to baptize the Redeemer of the world."

    St. John the Baptist was the last of the prophets who was sent by God "in the power of Elijah"
(Mt. 17:9-13) to prepare His chosen people for the coming of the Messiah, the Anointed of God, the Savior. In this role, he was to point out the Messiah, the Lamb of God that takes away the sins of the world." (John 1:19). Also part of his mission, he was to baptize the Redeemer in the Jordan. He is the Forerunner, the Precursor of Christ. As God's messenger he came to announce the arrival of God's kingdom in the person of Jesus Christ. Hence, this is why our Lord said of St. John the Baptist, "I tell you that of all the children born of women there is none greater than John." (Luke 7:28)

    John's early veneration can be explained by his innocent and austere life that he led in the desert. The Church Fathers hailed him as the "earthly angel in human form" (St. Sophronius. P.G. 87, 3340). He was inspired by the Holy Spirit and spent his youth in the desert where he prepared for his future mission by intense prayer and fasting. He wore the traditional garb of the prophets, a camel's hair garment.

    When he came out of this lonely life of the desert, he began his mission of preaching morality and moral reform in preparation for the arrival of the Messiah. As other prophets, he gathered a group of disciples and followers to assist in his spreading the message God had bestowed.

    It was because of this harsh adherence to moral principals that could be attributed to his martyrdom. At this time, Herod Antipas was king of Judea. He had married his deceased brother's wife and this was wrong according to moral law. Herod feared John because he was popular with the people and Herod feared he would incite an uprising. Because of this and because of the insistence of his wife Herodias, the king had John arrested and put in chains. Herod did not want John harmed because he felt the attraction of his words and teachings. Herodias hated John and awaited her chance to strike.

    This presented itself when the king held a birthday celebration for the court and other leading officials. Herodias seized the opportunity and had her daughter perform a dance which impressed Herod and his guests. The king told her, "Ask for anything you want and I will give it to you. I will grant whatever you ask, even to half of my kingdom!" (Mark 6:22-23). The girl went out and asked her mother what she should request and Herodias replied, " The head of John the Baptizer." (Mark 6:24). So the girl made her request to the king who bitterly regretted it but because of his promise made before everyone, he could not refuse her. Immediately he sent the executioner to behead him and bring the head back which he did. The head was brought to the girl who then gave it to her mother. His followers later came and buried his body in a tomb in the Samaritan town of Sebaste, outside of Herod's jurisdiction.