Homily: June 24 - Nativity of John the Baptist, Solemnity

When the Church celebrates the feast day of a saint, we are usually celebrating the day of the saint’s death. For example the feast of Aloysius Ganzaga last week was on June 21, because he went to his eternal reward on June 21, 1591. 

But the Church also celebrates the days of birth of three persons:  Jesus, of course, on the feast we call Christmas; the Blessed Virgin Mary, on September 8th, nine months after the feast of her Immaculate Conception; and Saint John the Baptist.  In fact, Byzantine Catholics celebrate the conception of John the Baptist nine months prior to today’s feast.

Today’s Solemnity dates back all the way to the 4^th century.  John has a place of very high esteem in the Church for he played  such a pivotal part in salvation history.  Jesus himself says in Luke’s Gospel, “  I tell you, among those born of women, no one is greater than John”.  John said, “He must increase, and I must decrease”.

John was the voice in the wilderness pointing others to Christ, calling them to repentance of their sins that they might prepare the way for the Lord in their hearts.  As Saint Augustine said, “John was a voice that lasted only for a time; Christ, the Word in the beginning, is eternal.”  John points us to the eternal.  Christians should have special devotion to John, especially as we are urged to take part in the new evangelization.

This day may we renew our commitment like John to bring others to Christ, that our egos our ambitions might decrease, that the life of Christ may increase in us, for the glory of God and salvation of souls.

Collect: O God, who raised up Saint John the Baptist to make ready a nation fit for Christ the Lord, give your people, we pray, the grace of spiritual joys and direct the hearts of all the faithful into the way of salvation and peace.

Prayer over the Offerings: We place these offerings on your altar, O Lord, to celebrate with fitting honor the nativity of him who both foretold the coming of the world's Savior and pointed him out when he came.

Preface: It is truly right and just, our duty and our salvation, always and everwhere to give you thanks, Lord, holy Father, almighty and eternal God, through Christ our Lord.  In his Precursor, Saint John the Baptist, we praise your glory, for you consecrated him for a singular honor among those born of women.  His birth brought great rejoicing; even in the womb he leapt for joy at the coming of human salvation.  He alone of all the prophets pointed out the Lamb of redemption.  And to make holy the flowing waters, he baptized the very author of Baptism and was privilged to bear him supreme witness by the shedding of his blood.  And so, with the Powers of heaven, we worship you constantly on earth, and before your majest we acclaim: Holy, Holy...

Prayer after Communion: Having feasted at the banquet of the heavenly Lamb, we pray, O Lord, that, finding joy in the nativity of Saint John the Baptist, your Church may know was the author of her rebirth, the Christ whose coming John foretold.