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“The Nativity of St. John the Baptist: Born to Forerun” (Luke 1:57-80) Last week I opened the sermon by saying that we are in the “long green meadow” of the church year, that is, the non-festival half of the church year, when the liturgical color is green. But then, here we are today, and the color of the paraments is white! What gives? Well, today is a little exception to that rule, because today, June 24, is one of the more important of the minor festivals, and it happens to fall on a Sunday this year. Today is the day...

Two Tragic Sins Seen in One Gospel Passage Msgr. Charles Pope • August 30, 2017 • The tragic Gospel passage about the death of St. John Baptist (which we read in daily Mass on Tuesday) is a study in two common sins that afflict most of us. While the results of these sinful tendencies may not always be this dire, the damage wrought is often significant. Let’s take a look at each in turn. The sin of human respect – This is a sin wherein we fear human beings and their opinions of us more than we fear God...

The Second Sunday of Advent usually features the Ministry of St. John the Baptist. He was the  Prophet who fulfilled the Office of Elijah of whom it was said: See, I will send the prophet Elijah to you before that great and dreadful day of the Lord comes. He will turn the hearts of the fathers to their children, and the hearts of the children to their fathers; or else I will come and strike the land with total destruction (Mal 4:4-6). Therefore St. John is a prophet who prepared the people of his time for the coming of Jesus, by...

On the Martyrdom of St. John the Baptist "The Truth is the Truth; there is no compromise" CASTEL GANDOLFO, Italy, AUG. 29, 2012 (Zenit.org).- Here is a translation of the Italian-language catechesis Benedict XVI gave today during the general audience held in the main square at Castel Gandolfo. Today the Holy Father reflected on the figure of St. John the Baptist, whose martyrdom we celebrate today. * * * Dear brothers and sisters, This final Wednesday of the month of August marks the liturgical memorial of the martyrdom of St. John the Baptist, the forerunner of Jesus. In the Roman...

“St. John the Baptist: Born to Forerun” (Luke 1:57-80)Merry Saintjohnthebaptistmas! “What?” you say, “What did he say?” I said, Merry Saintjohnthebaptistmas! You heard me right. If we celebrate Christmas, the birth of Christ, on December 25, then six months before that, which is today, we should celebrate the birth of his predecessor, his forerunner, St. John the Baptist. So, Merry Saintjohnthebaptistmas! Six months out from Christmas. But Christmas is December 25, and today is only June 24, not the 25th. How come we’re celebrating on this day? Well, it’s just a little quirk in the calendar. In the old Roman...

August 29, 2006 Memorial of the Martyrdom of Saint John the Baptist Psalm: Tuesday 36 Reading 12 Thes 2:1-3a, 14-17 We ask you, brothers and sisters,with regard to the coming of our Lord Jesus Christand our assembling with him,not to be shaken out of your minds suddenly,or to be alarmed either by a “spirit,” or by an oral statement,or by a letter allegedly from usto the effect that the day of the Lord is at hand.Let no one deceive you in any way. To this end he has also called you through our Gospelto possess the glory of our Lord...

August 29, 2005Memorial of the Martyrdom of Saint John the Baptist Psalm: Monday 38 Reading I1 Thes 4:13-18 We do not want you to be unaware, brothers and sisters,about those who have fallen asleep,so that you may not grieve like the rest, who have no hope.For if we believe that Jesus died and rose,so too will God, through Jesus,bring with him those who have fallen asleep.Indeed, we tell you this, on the word of the Lord,that we who are alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord,will surely not precede those who have fallen asleep.For the Lord himself,...

Archaeologists said Monday they have found a cave where they believe John the Baptist anointed many of his disciples - a huge cistern with 28 steps leading to an underground pool of water. During an exclusive tour of the cave by The Associated Press, archaeologists presented wall carvings they said tell the story of the fiery New Testament preacher, as well as a stone they believe was used for ceremonial foot washing. They also pulled about 250,000 pottery shards from the cave, the apparent remnants of small water jugs used in baptismal ritual. "John the Baptist, who was just a...

AP: Group Discovers John the Baptist Cave KIBBUTZ TZUBA, Israel (AP) KARIN LAUB Archaeologists said Monday they have found a cave where they believe John the Baptist anointed many of his disciples - a huge cistern with 28 steps leading to an underground pool of water. During an exclusive tour of the cave by The Associated Press, archaeologists presented wall carvings they said tell the story of the fiery New Testament preacher, as well as a stone they believe was used for ceremonial foot washing. They also pulled about 250,000 pottery shards from the cave, the apparent remnants of small...

June 24, 2004 Solemnity of the Nativity of Saint John the Baptist Mass during the Day Psalm: Thursday 28 Reading I Responsorial Psalm Reading II Gospel Reading IIs 49:1-6 Hear me, O coastlands, listen, O distant peoples. The LORD called me from birth, from my mother's womb he gave me my name. He made of me a sharp-edged sword and concealed me in the shadow of his arm. He made me a polished arrow, in his quiver he hid me. You are my servant, he said to me, Israel, through whom I show my glory. Though I thought I...

June 23, 2003Monday of the Twelfth Week in Ordinary Time Psalm: Monday Week 28 Reading I Responsorial Psalm Gospel Reading IGen 12:1-9 The LORD said to Abram:"Go forth from the land of your kinsfolkand from your father's house to a land that I will show you. "I will make of you a great nation,and I will bless you;I will make your name great,so that you will be a blessing.I will bless those who bless youand curse those who curse you.All the communities of the earthshall find blessing in you." Abram went as the LORD directed him, and Lot went with...

August 29, 2002Memorial of the Martyrdom of Saint John the Baptist Psalm: Thursday Week 38 Reading I Responsorial Psalm Gospel Reading I1 Cor 1:1-9 Paul, called to be an Apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God,and Sosthenes our brother,to the Church of God that is in Corinth,to you who have been sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be holy,with all those everywhere who call upon the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, their Lord and ours.Grace to you and peace from God our Fatherand the Lord Jesus Christ. I give thanks to my God always on your accountfor...