September: Day 23: Teaching 2:
The Conception of the Honorable Glorious Prophet, Forerunner and Baptist John
(On How To Imitate Saint John the Baptist)
By Archpriest Grigory Dyachenko
The Conception of the Honorable Glorious Prophet, Forerunner and Baptist John
(On How To Imitate Saint John the Baptist)
By Archpriest Grigory Dyachenko
I. At first glance, it seems rather strange that John, who was to precede the grace available to all mankind, is raised and spends most of his life in the wilderness. The forerunner of the Savior, who dined with tax collectors, observes such a strict fast. Yet this was necessary for John to prepare for his high calling. Living in the wilderness, he maintained a more profound communion with God. Here, he does not witness the depraved customs of the world; immoral examples could not become ordinary for him, and as a representative of the law, he confronts them with utmost severity. Having become accustomed to feeding on locusts and wild honey in the wilderness, he, appearing among the people, has no need for human assistance, and as an independent figure, he openly preaches and gains credibility through his preaching. Finally, when this hermit, whom no one knew, clearly and openly points to Christ the Savior, does he not make it evident that his knowledge of Christ was acquired not through human teaching, but through divine revelation? On the other hand, this very extraordinary life of John bears edifying traits for those who follow the most ordinary path.
II. No one should make the excuse that they cannot imitate John. If the All-Holy Lord presents Himself as an object of imitation for us sinners, "Be holy, as I am holy," then why not imitate a mere man? Ascetic labors have their measure, virtues their degree. Whoever lacks the strength to strive as fully as John did, let him strive according to his own strength.
a) John withdrew into the desert, broke ties with society, prayed incessantly, and conversed with God. But for us, it is enough if we separate ourselves from the company of depraved people; if we devote our morning and evening hours to prayer and contemplation; if we do not, through laziness and worldly vanities, avoid divine services. The devil deceives the inexperienced, arousing in them the dangerous desire to suddenly undertake great feats and distracting them from ordinary, but sacred and necessary, duties.
b) John ate only locusts and wild honey, and observed the strictest and longest fasts; and we, ashamed of his example, will firmly observe at least those fasts that the Church imposes upon us from time to time. He ate strange foods; but no one demands of us that we subsist on locusts. It is also good if we do not become intoxicated, indulge in gluttony, and intemperance, if we eat and drink not to satisfy lust, but to sustain life and strengthen our strength to endure the toils of life.
c) John solemnly, without any fear, despite the people around him, rebuked vice and delusion; who among us is capable of such a feat? And from whom is such a difficult effort required? Nevertheless, everyone is commanded to expose the works of darkness: "Have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather expose them" (Eph. 5:2). We are left with another degree of confessing the truth: it is the father's duty to strictly rebuke the delusions of his children. Upon the mother, there will be an account if she, noticing the wicked tendencies of her son or daughter, does not, with all the strength of maternal love, stop them. And thus, each of us bears the duty to uncover the delusions of our neighbor. Therefore, if you see that your relative, your colleague, or indeed any close one has ceased to attend church and has welcomed into their home those false elders who undermine the Orthodox faith, do not be afraid and do not be ashamed to tell them the truth. Speak candidly that they have strayed from the true path, that they have fallen into a crossroads that will lead them to ruin; strive to convince them to abandon the deceitful ones and, as the Apostle says, "those who bring teachers into their homes," to turn with repentance to their spiritual father and sincerely submit forever to the holy Orthodox Church. Amen.
Source: A Complete Annual Cycle of Short Teachings, Composed for Each Day of the Year. Translated by John Sanidopoulos.
