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. Abstention from meat and foods that contain meat. A day when the faithful are highly encouraged to participate in the Divine Liturgy.
Read Romans 13:11b-14:4
Glory to Jesus Christ! Glory forever!
Today’s epistle reading is the same passage we hear on Cheesefare Sunday, the final day before beginning our journey through the Great Fast and Holy Week to Pascha. As we near the end of the Apostles’ Fast, today we celebrate the Nativity of John the Baptist. The last and greatest prophet, John practiced great ascetism: “Now John himself was clothed in camel’s hair, with a leather belt around his waist; and his food was locusts and wild honey” (Mt. 3:4). The value and use of ascetism as a spiritual tool seems to be greatly forgotten in the present day.
We often find ourselves overpowered by the desires of the flesh. So many people nowadays suffer from food and sexual addictions to various degrees. The ability to say “no” to something that brings us a quick hit of dopamine has seemingly become harder and harder for us. However, just because you have an urge or desire to do something does not mean it is necessarily good for you. For example, we may have a strong desire to eat, but an uncontrolled desire for food can result in ill health. We need to control our passions using our reason so that we are not controlled by them. Some people think that the Church telling us to control our passions is the Church trying to control us and take away our freedoms. Quite the contrary! If we do not exercise self-discipline and control, we easily become slaves of our passions and sins. We must submit ourselves to Christ the Logos so we experience true freedom.
The good news of today’s epistle reading is that we can “put on the Lord Jesus Christ” (Rom. 13:14). God is our Master, and He receives us if we come to Him in repentance. By repentance, I do not simply mean feeling sad about our sins. Rather, when we approach God with the sincere desire to amend our lives to rid it of sin, He will bless us and assist us. As God’s servants, He is able to make us stand (Rom. 14:4).