May: Day 25: Teaching 2: The Third Finding of the Head of the Holy Prophet, Forerunner and Baptist John

 

May: Day 25: Teaching 2:
The Third Finding of the Head of the Holy Prophet, Forerunner and Baptist John
 
(How Should Christians Honor the Memory of John the Baptist?)

By Archpriest Grigory Dyachenko

I. Today, brethren, we celebrate the third finding of the honorable head of the glorious Prophet, Forerunner, and Baptist of the Lord, John. Even before the birth of John it was foretold concerning him that he would be pleasing to the Lord and would be His Forerunner; that he would be a great ascetic; that he would drink no wine or strong drink; and that he would lead the strictest life of fasting. Such indeed was John the Baptist.

From his early years he settled in the wild desert of the Jordan. His food was locusts — a kind of grasshopper — and wild honey; his drink was only pure water. All who came to him he taught repentance, righteousness, love, and a God-pleasing life. Thought of God and pleasing Him was his constant occupation. Therefore the Lord glorified him, calling him an angel and saying of him that among those born of women there had not arisen anyone greater or more glorious than John the Baptist. And the Holy Church in her hymns calls him righteous, worthy of all our praise, and more honorable than all the prophets. Today, on the day of the finding of his honorable head — which had been cut off by order of King Herod and at the desire of his unlawful wife Herodias, because John rebuked their lawless life — the Church has established a feast, inviting all of us to honor his holy memory in a fitting manner.

II. How then should we Christians honor the memory of Saint John the Baptist?

a) First of all, by prayers offered to Saint John the Forerunner. The Holy Church, firmly believing in the power and intercession of John the Baptist, often invokes him in her prayers and, after the Mother of God, turns to him as the Saint nearest to God. In one Lenten prayer the Church directly points out the foundation of her hope and trust in John the Baptist: “For to you was given grace to pray for us,” she says. Therefore, as often as possible, we should pray to John the Baptist to intercede for us sinners before God. Such a great righteous man and pleaser of God as John the Baptist, greater than all born of women, can offer us great help in our needs and difficult circumstances of life. We need only ask him with faith and hope.

b) The second expression of our reverence and honor for the memory of Saint John the Baptist is proper and reverent conduct on the feast days dedicated especially to his honor and glory. The memory of a righteous man should be celebrated in a righteous and worthy manner. In general, all feast days are established for our rest from labor, for prayer, and for good deeds. Idleness and sinful activities carried out on feast days violate their holiness. Of such feasts the Lord says: “My soul hates your feasts.” Such celebrations are not pleasing to John the Baptist either. Attendance at the festal services, offerings according to our ability for the benefit of the church of God, works of mercy, and quiet, modest behavior at home — these are how we may sanctify every feast day, including the present one.

c) The third way of showing our reverence for Saint John the Forerunner should be imitation of his holy life.

The extraordinary life of John the Baptist contains much instruction for all who live even the most ordinary life.

No one should excuse himself by saying that he cannot imitate Saint John. If the all-holy Lord Himself pointed to Himself as the example for us sinners — “Be holy, for I am holy” — then why should we not imitate a man? Ascetic struggles have their measure, virtues have their degree. Let each one strive diligently according to his strength.

John withdrew into the desert, broke ties with society, prayed without ceasing, was zealous for the glory of God, and conversed with God. For us it is enough if we avoid the company of wicked and corrupt people; if morning and evening we devote some time to prayer and meditation on God; if through laziness and worldly distractions we do not neglect the church services on feast days.

John was a great faster, and in imitation of him we should not become drunk with wine or give ourselves over to every kind of excess. Let us eat and drink not for the satisfaction of lust, but for the preservation of life and the strengthening of our powers for the labors of daily life.

John taught people to love righteousness and to act according to truth in all things: not to wrong their neighbors, not to take what belongs to others, not to slander, to be content with their condition, and in general to bear fruits worthy of repentance.

III. Therefore, brethren, let us follow his teaching and imitate his life as much as we can. By this we shall glorify his holy memory, find in him a powerful intercessor and helper, and may obtain eternal salvation. 

(Compiled from various sources.)

 

Source: A Complete Annual Cycle of Short Teachings, Composed for Each Day of the Year. Translated by John Sanidopoulos. 

 

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