“Amen, I say to you, among those born of women there has been none greater than John the Baptist; yet the least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.” (Matthew 11:11) The praise of John the Baptist by Jesus is unique in Scripture.
John the Baptist was the last prophet of the everlasting covenant between Yahweh and the children of Israel. He is also the first prophet of the New Covenant under Jesus Christ, the Son of God.
Named Elijah after the greatest prophet of the Covenant, John the Baptist is the last and the first—the last prophet of the original Covenant, the first of the new. His singular appointment by God testifies to his greatness.
John the Baptist is greatly honored in the Roman Catholic and Orthodox Churches. Besides his Beheading, another feast is celebrated in the Roman Catholic Church in his honor, his Nativity. Only one other Roman Catholic saint (excluding the Blessed Virgin Mary) has two feast days celebrated in their honor, Saint Joseph, as Spouse of Mary and as the Worker. The Blessed Virgin Mary has eight feast days.
“The commemoration of his Nativity is one of the oldest feasts, if not the oldest feast, introduced into both the Greek and Latin liturgies to honour a saint. ...The celebration of the Decollation of John the Baptist, on 29 August, enjoys almost the same antiquity.” (“St. John the Baptist,” Catholic Encyclopedia)
John the Baptist is widely recognized in the monastic tradition as among the first and most exemplary hermits of the New Covenant. Together with the Blessed Virgin Mary, John the Baptist is one of the two principal saints of the legendary Carthusian order.
John the Baptist lived the perfect life. I say “perfect” in a manner of speaking. His life is admirable in all the aspects testified by Scripture and in this respect it is perfect. Holy from birth, he displayed the virtues of a saint, particularly those of the monk and ascetic, and died a martyr, brutally executed for speaking God’s truth to worldly power wielded in violation of God’s law.
All have sinned and are deprived of the glory of God.—Romans 3:23
We observe that some theologians have argued that John the Baptist wasn’t a sinner. I can’t say that he wasn’t, but he was surely extraordinary in holiness, Jesus’ words witness to it.
I must emphasize that the Catholic Church has never taught that St. John the Baptist was born free of original sin. There is theological and scriptural speculation that he was, though. This speculation has never been condemned by the Church and one can either believe or not believe this theory and still be considered to be a Catholic in good standing with the Church.
Let us look at why someone may believe that St. John the Baptist was born free from original sin.
When the archangel Gabriel announces to Zechariah that St. John will be born to him, the archangel says, “he will be great in the sight of [the] Lord. He will drink neither wine nor strong drink. He will be filled with the Holy Spirit even from his mother’s womb” (Luke 1:15). We understand that sin cannot dwell where God takes up residence. So if St. John the Baptist is prophesied to be full of the Holy Spirit from the womb of his mother, then there cannot be sin in his soul. This means that, at some point, God must have cleansed his soul of this first sin of our parents.
Now when might this cleansing from original sin have taken place? Let us look later in this same chapter from St. Luke’s Gospel. When Mary, now bearing Jesus in her womb, enters and greets Elizabeth, St. John the Baptist leaps in her womb (Luke 1:41). It is understood that St. John the Baptist leaps for joy because salvation is so near to us. The “Catholic Encyclopedia” goes one step further than this understanding. It states that at the moment St. John the Baptist leaps in his mother’s womb, that he was cleansed from original sin (www.newadvent.org/cathen/08486b.htm).
This cleansing from original sin would be different than the cleansing from original sin Mary received. It has been defined by the Church that Mary was immaculately conceived, meaning that from the first moment of her existence, Mary was cleansed from original sin. St. John the Baptist, in contrast, would have been conceived with original sin, but cleansed roughly 6-7 months after being conceived.
—Father John Mayo, “Was St. John the Baptist cleansed from original sin? Scripture might give us clues,” St. Louis Review, July 20-26, 2020
…Father Mayo is pastor of St. Raphael the Archangel Parish in St. Louis.
Nearly every saint’s feast day is celebrated on the day of the person’s death, the day presumed to mark that saint’s entrance into heaven. The only two exceptions are Our Lady and John the Baptist, who both have feast days marking their births; long ago, St. Augustine noted that the reason for this is the church’s common belief that John entered the world freed (in the womb) from original sin.
Saint John the Baptist, son of holy parents, Forerunner of the Messiah, you are the Elijah foretold to return who received the unique praise of Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ that among those born of women no one is greater than yourself. Because you spoke the truth of God to the power of Herod, you were martyred for your outspokenness. Intercede for us before the holy throne of God, listen to our prayers, and join with us in our supplications for the mercy and blessings of the Almighty. Amen.
Peter is so significant a figure in the history of Christianity that it is worth our while as Christians to know him better and to more deeply understand his character as revealed in Scripture.
The gospels are all about Jesus Christ, so naturally the narrative is dominated by the account of his person, what he said and did, his claim not only of being one with God but of identity with God himself (John 8:58).
Yet the gospels are also interlaced with important and secondary narratives no less necessary to the story of Jesus Christ himself—inseparable narratives about Mary, John the Baptist, or Joseph, for example, to name several of many. Peter is one among the important threads in the grand narrative.
Peter is a man of extraordinary faith, and it is for this reason, in the words of Jesus himself, that the Messiah appoints Peter as the leader of the Apostles, the first among equals (Matthew 16:16-19). His primacy is unmistakable not only in the gospels but in the Acts of the Apostles and according to Paul’s testimony in Galatians.
“A confirmation of the position accorded to Peter by Luke, in the Acts, is afforded by the testimony of St. Paul (Galatians 1:18-20). After his conversion and three years’ residence in Arabia, Paul came to Jerusalem ‘to see Peter’. Here the Apostle of the Gentiles clearly designates Peter as the authorized head of the Apostles and of the early Christian Church.”
https://www.newadvent.org/cathen/11744a.htm
—Johann Peter Kirsch, “ St. Peter, Prince of the Apostles,” Catholic Encyclopedia (1911)
Peter has been faulted first and foremost by observers for his impulsiveness, and certainly there is more than enough evidence in the gospels for it. He appeals to Jesus during the storm in the Sea of Galilee, urging the Savior to summon him to walk on the water (Matthew 14:28); he exclaims that he will build three tents atop Mount Tabor to honor the transfigured Jesus together with Moses and Elijah, who appear on either side conversing with Jesus (Matthew 17:4); and when he is challenged outside the Caiaphas’ house to confess his relationship with Jesus, Peter blurts out three times, the last time cursing, that he is not Jesus’ disciple (Matthew 26:69-74).
Notwithstanding, Peter demonstrates complete sincerity in his wholehearted repentance for his denial of Jesus and after Jesus’ resurrection humbly professes unstinting love for our Lord (Matthew 26:75; John 21:15-17). He is a bighearted man filled with love for God and an example for us all.
After the Holy Spirit descends upon the Apostles and a dramatic transformation takes place among them, Peter in particular is a changed man. He is the same yet different. He boldly assumes rightful leadership of the newly founded Church, speaking and acting with wisdom and courage of a higher order. The early Christian community acknowledges his primacy.
Especially in contrast with the old Peter, it is this new Peter that rivets our attention. He cures a lame man at the Beautiful Gate of the Temple, confidently commanding him in the name of Jesus to rise up and walk (Acts 3:1-11). Courageously, the leader of the Apostles pointedly remonstrates before the Sanhedrin, “We must obey God, not man” (Acts 5:29). Confronted by the Christian community at Jerusalem about his conduct among the Gentiles, he authoritatively declares unclean animals clean and therefore fit to eat, citing his vision at Joppa (Acts 11:1-18).
The first letter of Peter forcefully communicates the thought and character of a new man. Although it was most likely a secretary who gave literary expression to Peter’s words, the first letter shows a spiritual depth, moral wisdom, indomitable faith, and surpassing charity, among others, that testify to Peter’s transfiguration, so to speak.
Hortatory and catechetical, the letter alludes at various points to the Peter we know from the gospels.
His teachings appear to recapitulate his dark night of the soul during the days of our Lord’s passion, death, and resurrection, a darkness which was followed by a dawning understanding of God’s plan of salvation for humanity.
“Beloved, do not be surprised that a trial by fire is occurring among you, as if something strange were happening to you. But rejoice to the extent that you share in the sufferings of Christ, so that when his glory is revealed you may also rejoice exultantly.” (1 Peter 4:12-13)
He alludes to the assaults of the devil that he experienced against faith.
“Be sober and vigilant. Your opponent the devil is prowling around like a roaring lion looking for [someone] to devour. Resist him, steadfast in faith, knowing that your fellow believers throughout the world undergo the same sufferings.” (1 Peter 5:8-9)
Even if we assume that it is Silvanus the secretary who gave lyrical form to Peter’s thoughts, the speaker’s vision is nonetheless soaring and sublime. It is not the Peter of the gospels we hear but rather a singular leader who has grown way beyond stumbling virtue and faltering understanding.
“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who in his great mercy gave us a new birth to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you who by the power of God are safeguarded through faith, to a salvation that is ready to be revealed in the final time.
“In this you rejoice, although now for a little while you may have to suffer through various trials, so that the genuineness of your faith, more precious than gold that is perishable even though tested by fire, may prove to be for praise, glory, and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ.” (1 Peter 1:3-7)
The first letter is written shortly before Peter’s martyrdom in Rome. According to ancient Christian tradition, Peter in humility asked to be crucified upside-down because he deemed himself unworthy to die in the same manner as Jesus.
Sure enough, the human remains that were unearthed beneath Saint Peter’s in Rome that have been judged by Paul VI to be genuinely those of Cephas—“Saint Peter’s relics,” he said, “have been identified in a manner which we believe convincing”—show that the missing feet had been cut off at the ankles. Peter’s feet remained nailed to the cross when the Roman soldiers cut his body down.
Peter is a marvelous subject for our contemplation. Beginning in the gospel narratives as a lowly, grumbling peasant discontentedly plying his nets, he concludes as the eternally glorified hero saint of Christian victory.
IN PRAISE OF SAINT JOHN THE BAPTIST
ReplyDelete“Amen, I say to you, among those born of women there has been none greater than John the Baptist; yet the least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.” (Matthew 11:11) The praise of John the Baptist by Jesus is unique in Scripture.
John the Baptist was the last prophet of the everlasting covenant between Yahweh and the children of Israel. He is also the first prophet of the New Covenant under Jesus Christ, the Son of God.
Named Elijah after the greatest prophet of the Covenant, John the Baptist is the last and the first—the last prophet of the original Covenant, the first of the new. His singular appointment by God testifies to his greatness.
John the Baptist is greatly honored in the Roman Catholic and Orthodox Churches. Besides his Beheading, another feast is celebrated in the Roman Catholic Church in his honor, his Nativity. Only one other Roman Catholic saint (excluding the Blessed Virgin Mary) has two feast days celebrated in their honor, Saint Joseph, as Spouse of Mary and as the Worker. The Blessed Virgin Mary has eight feast days.
“The commemoration of his Nativity is one of the oldest feasts, if not the oldest feast, introduced into both the Greek and Latin liturgies to honour a saint. ...The celebration of the Decollation of John the Baptist, on 29 August, enjoys almost the same antiquity.” (“St. John the Baptist,” Catholic Encyclopedia)
John the Baptist is widely recognized in the monastic tradition as among the first and most exemplary hermits of the New Covenant. Together with the Blessed Virgin Mary, John the Baptist is one of the two principal saints of the legendary Carthusian order.
John the Baptist lived the perfect life. I say “perfect” in a manner of speaking. His life is admirable in all the aspects testified by Scripture and in this respect it is perfect. Holy from birth, he displayed the virtues of a saint, particularly those of the monk and ascetic, and died a martyr, brutally executed for speaking God’s truth to worldly power wielded in violation of God’s law.
All have sinned and are deprived of the glory of God.—Romans 3:23
We observe that some theologians have argued that John the Baptist wasn’t a sinner. I can’t say that he wasn’t, but he was surely extraordinary in holiness, Jesus’ words witness to it.
https://oddsandendsgonzalinhodacosta.blogspot.com/2022/08/in-praise-of-saint-john-baptist.html
Gonzalinho
WAS JOHN THE BAPTIST BORN FREE FROM ORIGINAL SIN?
DeleteI must emphasize that the Catholic Church has never taught that St. John the Baptist was born free of original sin. There is theological and scriptural speculation that he was, though. This speculation has never been condemned by the Church and one can either believe or not believe this theory and still be considered to be a Catholic in good standing with the Church.
Let us look at why someone may believe that St. John the Baptist was born free from original sin.
When the archangel Gabriel announces to Zechariah that St. John will be born to him, the archangel says, “he will be great in the sight of [the] Lord. He will drink neither wine nor strong drink. He will be filled with the Holy Spirit even from his mother’s womb” (Luke 1:15). We understand that sin cannot dwell where God takes up residence. So if St. John the Baptist is prophesied to be full of the Holy Spirit from the womb of his mother, then there cannot be sin in his soul. This means that, at some point, God must have cleansed his soul of this first sin of our parents.
Now when might this cleansing from original sin have taken place? Let us look later in this same chapter from St. Luke’s Gospel. When Mary, now bearing Jesus in her womb, enters and greets Elizabeth, St. John the Baptist leaps in her womb (Luke 1:41). It is understood that St. John the Baptist leaps for joy because salvation is so near to us. The “Catholic Encyclopedia” goes one step further than this understanding. It states that at the moment St. John the Baptist leaps in his mother’s womb, that he was cleansed from original sin (www.newadvent.org/cathen/08486b.htm).
This cleansing from original sin would be different than the cleansing from original sin Mary received. It has been defined by the Church that Mary was immaculately conceived, meaning that from the first moment of her existence, Mary was cleansed from original sin. St. John the Baptist, in contrast, would have been conceived with original sin, but cleansed roughly 6-7 months after being conceived.
https://www.archstl.org/dear-father-was-st-john-the-baptist-cleansed-from-original-sin-scripture-might-give-us-clues-5507
—Father John Mayo, “Was St. John the Baptist cleansed from original sin? Scripture might give us clues,” St. Louis Review, July 20-26, 2020
…Father Mayo is pastor of St. Raphael the Archangel Parish in St. Louis.
Nearly every saint’s feast day is celebrated on the day of the person’s death, the day presumed to mark that saint’s entrance into heaven. The only two exceptions are Our Lady and John the Baptist, who both have feast days marking their births; long ago, St. Augustine noted that the reason for this is the church’s common belief that John entered the world freed (in the womb) from original sin.
https://catholicphilly.com/2016/11/catholic-spirituality/was-john-the-baptist-free-from-original-sin/
—Father Kenneth Doyle, “Was John the Baptist free from original sin?” CatholicPhilly.com, November 2, 2016
Gonzalinho
PRAYER TO SAINT JOHN THE BAPTIST
ReplyDeleteSaint John the Baptist, son of holy parents, Forerunner of the Messiah, you are the Elijah foretold to return who received the unique praise of Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ that among those born of women no one is greater than yourself. Because you spoke the truth of God to the power of Herod, you were martyred for your outspokenness. Intercede for us before the holy throne of God, listen to our prayers, and join with us in our supplications for the mercy and blessings of the Almighty. Amen.
https://oddsandendsgonzalinhodacosta.blogspot.com/2021/06/pilgrimage-to-saint-john-baptist-parish.html
Gonzalinho
ABOUT THE PHOTOS
ReplyDeleteBaptism of Jesus mosaic is at Saint Mary’s Roman Catholic Church, Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
Photo of Saint Peter (c. 1468) by Marco Zoppo is in the public domain. See:
https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Saint_Peter_A33446.jpg#mw-jump-to-license
Statue of Saint Paul the Apostle is in the courtyard of the Basilica of Saint Paul, Rome.
Gonzalinho
HERO SAINT OF CHRISTIAN VICTORY
ReplyDeletePeter is so significant a figure in the history of Christianity that it is worth our while as Christians to know him better and to more deeply understand his character as revealed in Scripture.
The gospels are all about Jesus Christ, so naturally the narrative is dominated by the account of his person, what he said and did, his claim not only of being one with God but of identity with God himself (John 8:58).
Yet the gospels are also interlaced with important and secondary narratives no less necessary to the story of Jesus Christ himself—inseparable narratives about Mary, John the Baptist, or Joseph, for example, to name several of many. Peter is one among the important threads in the grand narrative.
Peter is a man of extraordinary faith, and it is for this reason, in the words of Jesus himself, that the Messiah appoints Peter as the leader of the Apostles, the first among equals (Matthew 16:16-19). His primacy is unmistakable not only in the gospels but in the Acts of the Apostles and according to Paul’s testimony in Galatians.
“A confirmation of the position accorded to Peter by Luke, in the Acts, is afforded by the testimony of St. Paul (Galatians 1:18-20). After his conversion and three years’ residence in Arabia, Paul came to Jerusalem ‘to see Peter’. Here the Apostle of the Gentiles clearly designates Peter as the authorized head of the Apostles and of the early Christian Church.”
https://www.newadvent.org/cathen/11744a.htm
—Johann Peter Kirsch, “ St. Peter, Prince of the Apostles,” Catholic Encyclopedia (1911)
Peter has been faulted first and foremost by observers for his impulsiveness, and certainly there is more than enough evidence in the gospels for it. He appeals to Jesus during the storm in the Sea of Galilee, urging the Savior to summon him to walk on the water (Matthew 14:28); he exclaims that he will build three tents atop Mount Tabor to honor the transfigured Jesus together with Moses and Elijah, who appear on either side conversing with Jesus (Matthew 17:4); and when he is challenged outside the Caiaphas’ house to confess his relationship with Jesus, Peter blurts out three times, the last time cursing, that he is not Jesus’ disciple (Matthew 26:69-74).
Notwithstanding, Peter demonstrates complete sincerity in his wholehearted repentance for his denial of Jesus and after Jesus’ resurrection humbly professes unstinting love for our Lord (Matthew 26:75; John 21:15-17). He is a bighearted man filled with love for God and an example for us all.
To be continued
Gonzalinho
HERO SAINT OF CHRISTIAN VICTORY
DeleteContinued
After the Holy Spirit descends upon the Apostles and a dramatic transformation takes place among them, Peter in particular is a changed man. He is the same yet different. He boldly assumes rightful leadership of the newly founded Church, speaking and acting with wisdom and courage of a higher order. The early Christian community acknowledges his primacy.
Especially in contrast with the old Peter, it is this new Peter that rivets our attention. He cures a lame man at the Beautiful Gate of the Temple, confidently commanding him in the name of Jesus to rise up and walk (Acts 3:1-11). Courageously, the leader of the Apostles pointedly remonstrates before the Sanhedrin, “We must obey God, not man” (Acts 5:29). Confronted by the Christian community at Jerusalem about his conduct among the Gentiles, he authoritatively declares unclean animals clean and therefore fit to eat, citing his vision at Joppa (Acts 11:1-18).
The first letter of Peter forcefully communicates the thought and character of a new man. Although it was most likely a secretary who gave literary expression to Peter’s words, the first letter shows a spiritual depth, moral wisdom, indomitable faith, and surpassing charity, among others, that testify to Peter’s transfiguration, so to speak.
Hortatory and catechetical, the letter alludes at various points to the Peter we know from the gospels.
His teachings appear to recapitulate his dark night of the soul during the days of our Lord’s passion, death, and resurrection, a darkness which was followed by a dawning understanding of God’s plan of salvation for humanity.
“Beloved, do not be surprised that a trial by fire is occurring among you, as if something strange were happening to you. But rejoice to the extent that you share in the sufferings of Christ, so that when his glory is revealed you may also rejoice exultantly.” (1 Peter 4:12-13)
He alludes to the assaults of the devil that he experienced against faith.
“Be sober and vigilant. Your opponent the devil is prowling around like a roaring lion looking for [someone] to devour. Resist him, steadfast in faith, knowing that your fellow believers throughout the world undergo the same sufferings.” (1 Peter 5:8-9)
To be continued 2
Gonzalinho
HERO SAINT OF CHRISTIAN VICTORY
DeleteContinued 2
Even if we assume that it is Silvanus the secretary who gave lyrical form to Peter’s thoughts, the speaker’s vision is nonetheless soaring and sublime. It is not the Peter of the gospels we hear but rather a singular leader who has grown way beyond stumbling virtue and faltering understanding.
“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who in his great mercy gave us a new birth to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you who by the power of God are safeguarded through faith, to a salvation that is ready to be revealed in the final time.
“In this you rejoice, although now for a little while you may have to suffer through various trials, so that the genuineness of your faith, more precious than gold that is perishable even though tested by fire, may prove to be for praise, glory, and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ.” (1 Peter 1:3-7)
The first letter is written shortly before Peter’s martyrdom in Rome. According to ancient Christian tradition, Peter in humility asked to be crucified upside-down because he deemed himself unworthy to die in the same manner as Jesus.
Sure enough, the human remains that were unearthed beneath Saint Peter’s in Rome that have been judged by Paul VI to be genuinely those of Cephas—“Saint Peter’s relics,” he said, “have been identified in a manner which we believe convincing”—show that the missing feet had been cut off at the ankles. Peter’s feet remained nailed to the cross when the Roman soldiers cut his body down.
Peter is a marvelous subject for our contemplation. Beginning in the gospel narratives as a lowly, grumbling peasant discontentedly plying his nets, he concludes as the eternally glorified hero saint of Christian victory.
Gonzalinho