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Saint for the Day - June 24 - St. John the
Baptist
The birth of St. John
was foretold by an angel of the Lord to his father,
Zachary, who was offering incense in the Temple. It
was the office of St. John to prepare the way for
Christ, and before he was born into the world he
began to live for the Incarnate God. Even in the
womb he knew the presence of Jesus and of Mary, and
he leaped with joy at the glad coming of the son of
man. In his youth he remained hidden, because He for
Whom he waited was hidden also.
But before Christ's public life began, a divine
impulse led St. John into the desert; there, with
locusts for his food and haircloth on his skin, in
silence and in prayer, he chastened his own soul.
Then, as crowds broke in upon his solitude, he
warned them to flee from the wrath to come, and gave
them the baptism of penance, while they confessed
their sins. At last there stood in the crowd One
Whom St. John did not know, till a voice within told
him that it was his Lord. With the baptism of St.
John, Christ began His penance for the sins of His
people, and St. John saw the Holy Ghost descend in
bodily form upon Him. Then the Saint's work was
done. He had but to point his own disciples to the
Lamb, he had but to decrease as Christ increased.
He saw all men leave him and go after Christ. "I
told you," he said, "that I am not the Christ. The
friend of the Bridegroom rejoiceth because of the
Bridegroom's voice. This my joy therefore is
fulfilled." St. John had been cast into the fortress
of Machærus by a worthless tyrant whose crimes be
had rebuked, and he was to remain there till he was
beheaded, at the will of a girl who danced before
this wretched king.
In this time of despair, if St. John could have
known despair, some of his old disciples visited
him. St. John did not speak to them of himself, but
he sent them to Christ, that they might see the
proofs of His mission. Then the Eternal Truth
pronounced the panegyric of the Saint who had lived
and breathed for Him alone: "Verily I say unto you,
Among them that are born of women there hath not
risen a greater than John the Baptist"
Saint for the Day - St. John the Baptist
Read about the Saint for today - June 24 and spare a thought for family or friends who might suffering from ill health or are experiencing times of trouble.
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Daily Reflection
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St. John was great before God
because he forgot himself and
lived for Jesus Christ, Who is
the source of all greatness.
Remember that you are nothing;
your own will and your own
desires can only lead to misery
and sin. Therefore sacrifice
every day some one of your
natural inclinations to the
Sacred Heart of Our Lord, and
learn little by little to lose
yourself in Him. |
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Saint for the Day Website
We hope that you gain spiritual knowledge and inspiration reading about the saint for today - June 24. An online Catholic resource providing a short Reflection for the year ahead. Use these short, inspiring words to request guidance or assistance for yourself and for the sake of others. |
