Most saints have one feast day (usually the day they died). St. John the Baptist has two. We celebrate his Nativity (Birth) on June 24. We celebrate his Passion (Death) on August 29.
Why? Because Jesus called him "the greatest among those born of women" (Matthew 11:11). He is the hinge between the Old and New Testaments. He is the last Prophet and the first Martyr of the Gospels. He is the cousin of God.
Here is the full, wild story of the man who wore camel hair and ate locusts.
Part 1: The Miraculous Birth (June 24)
The Silence of Zechariah
His father, Zechariah, was a priest. His mother, Elizabeth, was barren and old. One day, Zechariah was serving in the Temple when the Angel Gabriel appeared. Gabriel said: "Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you are to call him John."
Zechariah doubted. "How can I be sure of this? I am an old man." Because of his doubt, Gabriel struck him dumb. He couldn't speak until the baby was born. (Lesson: When God speaks, don't argue).
The Leap
While John was still in the womb (6 months along), Mary (pregnant with Jesus) came to visit. John leaped for joy in the womb (Luke 1:44). The Church teaches that in this moment, John was sanctified—cleansed of Original Sin. He was born without sin, though he was conceived with it. This is why we celebrate his birthday (usually, we only celebrate the birthdays of Jesus and Mary).
"His Name is John"
When the baby was born, the neighbors wanted to name him Zechariah Jr. Elizabeth said, "No, he is to be called John." They argued. They asked the mute father. Zechariah wrote on a tablet: "His name is John." Instantly, his tongue was loosed, and he began to prophesy (The Benedictus).
Part 2: The Voice in the Wilderness
John didn't grow up in a nice house. He went into the desert. He wore clothes made of camel's hair. He ate locusts and wild honey. He was an ascetic. He rejected the soft life of the city to focus entirely on God.
People flocked to him. Why? Because he spoke the truth. He called people "Brood of Vipers." He told them to repent. He wasn't trying to be popular. He was trying to prepare the way.
The Baptism of Jesus
The climax of his life happened at the river Jordan. Jesus came to be baptized. John tried to stop Him. "I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?" Jesus insisted. When John baptized Him, the heavens opened, the Spirit descended like a dove, and the Father's voice spoke. John's job was done. He pointed to Jesus and said:
"Behold the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!" (John 1:29).
His motto became the motto for all of us:
"He must increase, but I must decrease." (John 3:30).
Part 3: The Passion (August 29)
John could have retired. But he couldn't stop speaking the truth. King Herod Antipas had done something scandalous: He divorced his wife and married Herodias, the wife of his brother Philip. It was incest and adultery. Nobody dared to criticize the King. Except John. He told Herod to his face: "It is not lawful for you to have her."
Herod arrested him. He knew John was a holy man and was afraid to kill him. He actually liked listening to John in prison (weirdly). But Herodias hated John. She wanted him dead.
The Dance of Salome
Herod threw a birthday party for himself. Herodias's daughter (traditionally named Salome) danced for the King and his guests. The dance was likely seductive. Herod, drunk and lustful, made a foolish oath:
"Ask me for anything you want, up to half my kingdom."
Salome ran to her mother. "What shall I ask for?" Herodias saw her chance. "The head of John the Baptist."
The Martini
Salome went back: "I want you to give me right now the head of John the Baptist on a platter." Herod was distressed. But because of his oaths and his dinner guests (peer pressure), he didn't want to say no. He sent the executioner. They beheaded John in the prison and brought his head on a platter. Salome gave it to her mother.
The Lesson: Courage vs. Cowardice
The story puts two men in contrast:
- John: The bravest man who ever lived. He feared God more than Kings. He lost his head, but kept his soul.
- Herod: A coward. He knew John was innocent, but he killed him because he was afraid of looking bad in front of his friends.
We are all faced with this choice. When your friends mock the Church... do you speak up like John? Or do you stay silent like Herod? When society says marriage is outdated... do you speak truth? Or do you go along to get along?
Conclusion: The Lamp
Jesus called John "a burning and shining lamp" (John 5:35). He burned with zeal. He shone with truth. He was the Best Man at the Wedding of the Lamb. And like a good Best Man, once the Groom arrived, he stepped aside—even to the point of death.
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