John the Bapist (Feast: June 24)

John the Baptist bearing witness
(ca. 1600-1602) by Annibale
Carracci

        What was John the Baptist like? How many years did he spend “in the wilderness”? The gospels say he grew and became strong in spirit living in the wilderness until he appeared publicly. The locusts, wild honey, and camel’s hair garments suggest one who lived simply, from the land, as he listened to the Holy Spirit with whom he was filled at his birth.
       John spoke convincingly enough to have followers who believed his message. He does not seem to have lacked courage, “proclaiming the good news with many exhortations”. Even Herod liked to listen to him.
       The angel Gabriel described Zechariah and Elizabeth’s son as having the spirit and power of Elijah, as being the prophet who will turn many to the Lord and make straight the way. Yet John is not filled with his own importance, but declares “He must increase; I must decrease. I am not worthy to untie his sandal.” Courageous, charismatic, humble.
       In the wilderness the word of God came to him. He was to speak the word for a short time only. Jean Daniélou says that “He had first to be gripped completely by an interior vision and possessed inwardly by the Lord…in such a way that [the word] can be handed on to others.” Let us pray to be gripped by that same spirit, so as to hand on that same word.    
       Sr. Christa Kreinbrink, OSB