June 24 Instructions on the Nativity of St. John the Baptist by Rev, Leonard Goffine, 1880
June 24 Instructions on the Nativity of St. John the Baptist by Rev, Leonard Goffine, 1880
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Why is St. John's birthday celebrated instead of the day of his death, as of other saints?
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Because St. john was sanctified in the womb of his mother and was, so to speak, born a great saint, while others only by a life-long contest and toil attained to the sanctity secured to them by their death.
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The Introit of the Mass reads:
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The Lord hath called me by my name from my mother’s womb, and He hath made my mouth like a sharp sword: in the shadow of His hand He hath protected me, and hath made me as a chosen arrow. (Isai. xlix.) It is good to give praise to the Lord, and to sing to Thy name, O Most High. (Ps. xci.) Glory be to the Father, &c.
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PRAYER OF THE CHURCH.
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O God, who hast made this present day full of honor to us in the birth of blessed John: give unto Thy people the grace of spiritual joys, and direct the souls of all the faithful into the way of everlasting salvation. Thro' &c.
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LESSON. (lsai. xlix. 1-3, 5-7.)
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Give ear, ye islands, and hearken, ye people from afar: the Lord hath called me from the womb, from the bowels of my mother he hath been mindful of my name. And he hath made my mouth like a sharp sword: in the shadow of his hand he hath protected me, and hath made me as a chosen arrow: in his quiver he hath hidden me. And he said to me: Thou art my servant, Israel, for in thee will I glory. And now saith the Lord that formed me from the womb to be his servant: Behold, I have given thee to be the light of the Gentiles, that thou mayest be my salvation even to the farthest part of the earth. Kings shall see, and princes shall rise up, and adore for the Lord’s sake, and for the Holy One of Israel, who hath chosen thee.
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EXPLANATION
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In his usual, sublime language the prophet here foretells Christ, whom God has made the head and ruler, for the light and salvation of all nations; but the greater part of these words apply also to St. John, as will be seen from his life.
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GOSPEL. (Luke i. 57-68.)
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Elizabeth's full time of being delivered was come, and she brought forth a son. And her neighbors and kinsfolk heard that the Lord had showed His great mercy towards her, and they congratulated with her. And it came to pass that on the eighth day they came to circumcise the child, and they called him by his father’s name, Zachary. And his mother answering, said: Not so, but he shall be called John. And they said to her: There is none of thy kindred that is called by that name. And they made signs to his father, how he would have him called. And demanding a writing table, he wrote, saying: John is his name. And they all wondered. And immediately his mouth was opened, and his tongue loosed; and he spoke, blessing God. And fear came upon all their neighbors: and all these things were noised abroad over all the hill-country of Judea: and all they that had heard them, laid them up in their heart, saying: What a one, think ye, shall this child be? For the hand of the Lord was with him. And Zachary his father was filled with the Holy Ghost, and he prophesied, saying: Blessed be the Lord God of Israel, because he hath visited and wrought the redemption of His people.
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INSTRUCTION
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I. It was for Zachary and Elizabeth, who to their greatest sorrow lived childless to old age, an assurance of God's mercy that He should then present them with a child, and such a holy child. But they had sought to make themselves worthy of this grace by continual prayer, by submission to God's will, by the patient endurance of that which was, at that time, a disgrace, their unfruitfulness, while in the bringing up of this child they manifested their gratitude for his coming. -- Childless, married people ought to learn from this, that they may pray to God for children, but they should at the same time be resigned to the will of God. It is a favor to many that God gives them no children; for if they received the grace to have them, they would bring them up in an unchristian manner, and thereby risk their own salvation.
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II. If God should hear the prayers of such, as He heard the prayers of Zachary and Elizabeth, they should not fail to thank God and to offer Him the child, promising to bring it up in the fear of the Lord.
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III. Elizabeth's relations and friends rejoiced with her in her happiness, congratulating her upon it. -- If good is given to our fellow men, we also should rejoice, praise and thank God for it. Thus we participate in their happiness.
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IV. The name John, which means Blessed of God, was given to the child by God Himself, and John strove to live always in accordance with his name. -- We receive from the Church in baptism some saint’s name, in order to incite us to imitate our patron in virtue. Let us see that we do not bear the name without advantage from it.
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V. When Zachary would not believe the angel's announcement he became dumb, now that he believes his tongue is loosened. (Luke i. 18 -20.) -- When the sinner punished by God, returns and repents, God will either take the punishment from him, or will give him grace to bear it longer for the sake of making greater satisfaction.
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VI. Zacharias praised God loudly and publicly for the grace He had given him. -- Woe to those who bury the graces they have received, in forgetfulness, and do not thank God for them. They will receive no more graces, for the hope of the unthankful shall melt away as the winter's ice. (Wisd. xvi. 29.)