Saint John the Baptist
Feast day: June 24
Saint John the Baptist, the Forerunner who prepared the way and pointed to the Lamb of God (24/06)
Who is he?
Saint John the Baptist is the last prophet before Jesus began to preach. God sent him to prepare people’s hearts to welcome the Savior. The Church celebrates his birth on June 24, six months before Christmas, and remembers his martyrdom on August 29.
Life story
His father was the priest Zechariah, and his mother was Elizabeth, a relative of Mary. They were old and had no children. The angel Gabriel appeared and announced that Elizabeth would have a son and that he must be named John (cf. Lk 1:13, 19). When Mary came to visit Elizabeth, baby John leaped for joy in his mother’s womb (cf. Lk 1:41).
When he grew up, he lived in the desert, wore clothing of camel’s hair, and ate locusts and wild honey (cf. Mt 3:4). He called everyone to repent and turn away from sin, and he baptized them in the Jordan River. That is why he is called “the Baptist”, meaning the one who baptizes.
One day, Jesus came and asked John to baptize him. John humbly refused, because he felt unworthy, but then he obeyed what Jesus wanted (cf. Mt 3:13-15). Seeing Jesus coming, he pointed him out to everyone: “Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!” (Jn 1:29). When his own disciples began to follow Jesus, he was not jealous but said joyfully: “He must increase, but I must decrease.” (Jn 3:30).
King Herod Antipas married his brother’s wife. John bravely told the king that this was wrong. Because of this he was put in prison, and then he was killed (cf. Mk 6:17-29).
Why is he a saint?
Saint John the Baptist fully lived the mission God gave him: to prepare the way for Jesus and to show him to everyone. He was humble and did not take glory for himself. He bravely spoke the truth, even though it cost him his life. Jesus himself said that among all people ever born, no one was greater than John (cf. Mt 11:11).
A lesson for you
- Help your friends know Jesus through kind words and good deeds, not so that you will be praised.
- When a friend is praised more than you, be happy for them and don’t be jealous.
- Be brave and tell the truth, even when it is sometimes hard.
Identifying marks
- A little lamb and a pointing finger: he pointed Jesus out to everyone and said: “Behold, the Lamb of God” (Jn 1:29).
- A camel-hair garment and a leather belt: the Gospel tells us he dressed like this when he lived in the desert (cf. Mt 3:4).
- A reed staff with a cross and a banner: he went ahead to prepare the way for Jesus, who would be crucified.
- The Jordan River: where he baptized the people for repentance, and baptized Jesus himself.
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