Saint of the Month: St. John the Baptist

“And you, child, will be called the prophet of the Most High; for you will go before the Lord to prepare His ways, to give knowledge of salvation to his people by the forgiveness of their sins. “(Luke 1:76)

Those words come from Zechariah’s prophecy, referring to his son John. Zechariah was a priest, and his wife Elizabeth was a descendant of Aaron. Both lived according to the laws of God as given by Moses and righteous members of the community. Their heartbreak was their barrenness, never to be resolved as they were both getting older.

One day, while offering incense at the altar of the Lord, Zechariah was visited by the angel Gabriel, who told him, “Be not afraid, Zechariah, your prayers have been heard. Your wife Elizabeth shall bear you a son and you shall name him John” (Luke 1:13). Zechariah questioned Gabriel in disbelief and was struck mute from that moment until such time as the baby was born.

It happened as Gabriel said, and Elizabeth gave birth to a baby boy. When she brought him to the temple, the elders were going to name the baby Zechariah after his father, but Elizabeth stopped them and named him John. At that moment, Zechariah was able to speak and, filled with the holy spirit, spoke a prophecy about his baby boy.

Preparing the Way

Such was the beginning of the life of the Baptist.  His mother, Elizabeth, always knew that his life belonged to God, and this was further revealed when being visited by her young cousin Mary, John leaped in her womb at the presence of Christ within his mother. This innate knowledge of the presence of the Incarnation told his mother that her child and God’s own Son would be linked together.

John grew up to be the last of the prophets. He bridged the gap between the Old Testament prophets and the coming of the Messiah. He lived an aesthetic life in the desert, preaching a message centered on repentance from sin and the imminent arrival of God’s judgment and salvation.  He attracted large crowds and baptized many who confessed their sins, earning him the name John the Baptist. Many believed John to be the Messiah, but he clearly stated he was not the Messiah but was preparing the way for one “mightier than I” whose sandals he was unworthy to untie.

Finally, Jesus came to John and asked him to baptize him in the Jordan River, marking the beginning of Jesus’s public ministry.

John continued to preach repentance and publicly condemned Herod for marrying the wife of his half-brother Philip.  Herodias had Herod execute John by beheading him.

Saint John the Baptist’s feast day is June 24th, he is the patron of baptisms, conversions, tailors, spasms, and convulsions.

St. John the Baptist, pray for us!

Download the free Saint of the Month poster designed by Emily Prause using the button below. You can pin it to your classroom wall or place it on your refrigerator to help your children learn more about Saint John the Baptist.

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