The Nativity of the Honourable and Glorious Prophet John, Forerunner and Baptist of Christ
Romans 13:11b-14:4; Luke 1:1-25, 57-68, 76, 80
All-night Vigil Feast. Apostles’ Fast. A day when the faithful are highly encouraged to participate in the Divine Liturgy.
Read Luke 1:1-25, 57-68, 76, 80
Today we celebrate with great joy the birth of the final prophet of the Old Testament. The one who prepares the way for the coming of the definitive prophet, priest, king and the Saviour of all mankind. The holy prophet Malachi prophesied that the Lord would “send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and terrible day of the Lord.” (Mal 4:5). St. John is the fulfillment of this prophecy, which ultimately points to the conclusion of the Old Testament and the beginning of the time of grace.
Jesus teaches that St. John is ‘Elijah who was to come.” (Matt 11:14). For he came in the ‘spirit and power’ of the prophet. What does this mean? Venerable Bede points out that there are many similarities between the two: “Both Elijah and John were celibate. Both wore rough dress. Both spent their lives in the wilderness. Both were heralds of the truth. Both underwent persecution for justice’s sake at the hands of a king and queen—the former at the hands of Ahab and Jezebel, the latter at the hands of Herod and Herodias. The former, lest he be killed by the wicked, was carried up to heaven in a fiery chariot. The latter, lest he be overcome by the wicked, sought the heavenly kingdom by his martyrdom, which was accomplished in spiritual combat.” (Homilies on the Gospels 2.23.)
St. Ambrose of Milan says, “because holy Elijah had great power and grace. Power so that he turned the spirits of the people back from unbelief to faith, the power of abstinence and patience, and the Spirit of prophecy… Elijah divided the Jordan, John made it the font of salvation. John walks with the Lord on earth, Elijah appears with the Lord in glory (Matt 17:3)” (Exposition of the Gospel of Luke, 32 4:32-33). They are not the same person, but they share the same ‘power and grace’ working in and through them. St. John the Forerunner, Prophet and Baptizer of the Lord pray to God for us.