He paved the way: The Life of St. John the Baptist

Zechariah, the father of John the Baptist, was a priest of the course of Abijah, the eight of the 24 courses into which the priests were divided.

The birth of John the Baptist was announced in a most striking manner. Zechariah and Elizabeth were both righteous.

During the sixth month of Elizabeth’s pregnancy, the Annunciation had taken place, and as Mary had heard from angel Gabriel the fact of her cousin’s pregnancy, she went immediately to congratulate her. “And it came to pass, that when Elizabeth heard the salutation of Mary, the infant” — filled like the mother, with the Holy Spirit — “leaped for joy in her womb.”

It has been said that Zechariah went deaf and mute until he was asked by Elizabeth the name of their child. And he wrote — JOHN. John in Hebrew means JEHOHANAN, to mean “Yahweh, have mercy!”

The Gospel according to Luke tell us that “the child grew, and was strengthened in spirit and was in the deserts, until the day of his manifestation to Israel.” Passing over a period of some thirty years, we reach what may be considered the beginning of the public ministry of St. John.

He delivered the message to the world — MESSAGE OF REPENTANCE. And he came into all the countries about the Jordan, preaching a “baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins” and “to do penance; for the kingdom of heaven is at hand”, such was the burden of his teaching.

John had been preaching and baptizing for some time when Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan, to be baptized by him.

The ministry of John was truly tested when he met Herod, we learn from the Gospel that John dared to rebuke the tetrarch for his evil deeds, especially his public adultery. Herod swayed by Herodias, did not allow the words by the Baptist to go unpunished. He sent and apprehended John and bound him in prison.

The day of revenge came at the birthday feast which Herod gave to the princes and tribunes, and chief men of Galilee. When the daughter of Herodias had come in, and danced so beautifully to the extent of pleasing Herod and all his visitors, Herod offered her to ask whatever she willed. Then the girl went to her mother and asked what she wanted. John was beheaded.

(Read more: Acts 18:25, 19:3, Mark 6:29, Matthew 14:12)
Excerpts from the Life of St. John the Baptist by Fr. Matt Quiao
Golden Anniversary Souvenir Book | St. John the Baptist, Lasang