The Birth of St John

Lesson on the Birth of St. #John the Baptist Beloved members of John's Repentance spiritual service, today is the monthly feast of the birth of Saint John the Baptist. Let us delve into the depth of his life and draw valuable lessons for our spiritual journey. In the pages of Holy Scripture, the Gospel according to St. Matthew recounts the extraordinary events surrounding the birth and ministry of St. John. As St. Matthew writes, in those days, the voice of St. John the Baptist resounded through the wilderness of Judea, proclaiming with urgency, "The kingdom of heaven is near, repent!" (Matthew 3:2). Such was the resolute conviction with which he preached, invoking the words of the prophet Isaiah, "Prepare the way of the Lord" (Isaiah 40:3). Now, dear brethren, let us reflect upon the essence of St. John's message. In the New Testament, it is God Himself who, in His infinite mercy, offers true forgiveness of sins. It is He who beckons us to prepare our hearts for this divine forgiveness, directing us to the true Father who possesses the power to absolve all transgressions. St. John, in his ministry, baptized with water for repentance, inviting people to a life of genuine contrition. However, he proclaimed, "But the one who comes after me will baptize you with the Holy Spirit" (Matthew 3:11). He revealed that the Messiah, our Lord Jesus Christ, would restore humanity to the status of God's beloved children, emancipating them from sin's grip. In the depth of his wisdom, St. John acknowledged his own unworthiness to even bear the shoes of the One who was to come. He declared, "He who comes after me is mightier than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire" (Matthew 3:11). St. John recognized his role as the humble precursor to the One who would effect a profound transformation in the lives of believers. With an evocative metaphor, he compared the Lord to a winnower who would thoroughly cleanse the threshing floor, gathering the wheat into the barn while burning the chaff with unquenchable fire (Matthew 3:12). Therefore, dear members, let us take heed of St. John's exhortation. Those who stubbornly persist in rebellion and continue in sin, disregarding the counsel, reproof, and truth proclaimed to them, shall face judgment. St. John, the forerunner, exemplified a life of penitence even before the Lord's earthly manifestation. He was born to our father Zacharias and our mother Saint Elizabeth, with the archangel Gabriel foretelling his birth and his divine calling. From his mother's womb, he was destined to live a life of exceptional holiness, preparing the way for the Lord and proclaiming a genuine sermon of repentance. He abstained from worldly pleasures, not even tasting the flavor of meat or wine, choosing instead to sustain himself with a diet of locusts and desert honey. Furthermore, dear members, contemplate the unique position held by St. John the Baptist. Even before his birth, while he was still in his mother's womb, he received divine revelation concerning the approach of the Virgin Mary, the mother of our Lord. As the blessed Mary entered the presence of St. Elizabeth, the unborn John, filled with the Holy Spirit, leaped for joy, acknowledging the sacredness of the encounter. In awe, St. Elizabeth exclaimed, "How is it that the mother of my Lord should come to me?" (Luke 1:43). Thus, we witness the extraordinary moment when the first apostle, St. John, bearing witness from his mother's womb, testified to the divine nature of Christ. Truly, he was a martyr even before his birth. "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand." (Matthew 3:2) #repentance In the immense and sacred tapestry of the teachings of the Church, the proclamation "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near" stands out as a call to both preparation and transformation. As John Chrysostom might articulate, let us unravel this intricate call: 1. The Incarnate Kingdom – Christ Himself: At the heart of the Gospel message lies the revelation that the Kingdom of Heaven is Christ. He is the beacon of divine love, the reflection of Heaven on earth. When we say "Kingdom of Heaven," we are essentially gesturing towards Christ, the incarnate God, who walked among us and offered Himself for our salvation. In the Eucharistic mystery, we partake of His body and blood, and thus, draw closer to the kingdom. Christ’s assertion, "I am the bread of life," invites us to partake of this divine sustenance, grounding us in His eternal presence. The call to repentance is not a mere turning away from sin, but a profound turning towards Christ. It signifies an invitation to align our desires, hopes, and very beings with Him. As John Chrysostom might say, it is through Christ that we navigate the trials and tribulations of life, for in Him we find solace, strength, and salvation. 2. The Blessed Virgin – The Gateway to the Kingdom: The Orthodox faith cherishes the Virgin Mary as a testament to human potential – a beacon showing what humanity can achieve in full alignment with God’s will. She is the Theotokos, the God-bearer, who by her "yes" brought the Savior into our midst. It is a profound mystery that the infinite God chose to enter the world through the purity and obedience of the Virgin. She becomes a prototype of the church, a vessel that carries and brings Christ into the world. Our journey towards the kingdom requires us to emulate this Marian disposition – a whole-hearted surrender to God’s will, a willingness to become vessels of divine grace. 3. The Church as a Glimpse of Heaven: Christ declared, "My kingdom is not of this world." The Church, in its mystical essence, is a fragment of this heavenly kingdom on earth. She is not merely a human institution but a divine-human organism infused with the life of the risen Christ. Through the sacraments of the Church, heaven touches earth. The liturgy is a dance between time and eternity, a moment where we ascend spiritually to partake in the heavenly banquet. The church, adorned by the lives and teachings of the saints, becomes the tangible realization of the Kingdom of Heaven here on earth. As John Chrysostom would emphasize, the Church is not merely a place of worship but a living experience of Heaven. It is where we encounter Christ, where we are nurtured, transformed, and prepared for our eternal destiny. Conclusion: The cry "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near" is not just a call to remorse but an invitation to transformation. It beckons us towards a life intertwined with Christ, a life marked by love, sacrifice, and hope. As we journey through life, may we always remember that the Kingdom is not just a distant reality but an intimate presence. Let us, with hearts aflame with love for Christ, heed this call, so that in all things, we may reflect the light of the Kingdom and draw all men towards its radiant glow. May the name of the Holy God be praised forever and ever in every tongue that He has created, today and always. May the blessings of God's mother, the virgin, and the cross be upon us. Amen. ©John's Repentance Reach out to us on our social media platforms and share it with your friends: https://linktr.ee/johnsrepentance