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Solemnity of the Nativity of Saint John the Baptist
(Isaiah 49:1-6; Acts 13:22-26; Lucas 1:56-66.80)
St. Albert the Great has been called the greatest medieval
philosopher. He wrote not only on topics
commonly thought of as philosophical but on other kinds of knowledge as
well. However great a philosopher he
was, he considered his student, Thomas Aquinas, his better. Their asymmetrical relationship is like the
one between John the Baptist and Jesus.
John is born to an elderly couple in what amounts to a
miraculous occurrence. Jesus is born to
a virgin which is completely outside the realm of nature. John’s birth creates amazement among the
people. Jesus’ birth, accompanied by the
angels’ announcement, moves shepherds to adore the infant. John suffers a
martyr’s death but has no choice in his execution. Jesus surrenders himself to death so that the
world may have eternal life.
We give special honor to John today for his relation to
Jesus. He saluted Jesus while both were
in their mother’s womb. He preached the
coming of Jesus, whom – he thought – would send fire on sinners. Imprisoned, John questioned this understanding
and investigated whether Jesus, the friend of sinners, was not the Messiah. The Church today celebrates John’s birth as a
solemnity, or solemn feast, with its own vigil – a unique distinction except
for Jesus’.
