Zachary, the father of John the Baptist, was a priest of the course of Abia. His mother, Elizabeth,, "was of the daughters of Aaron", according to St. Luke who calls her the "cousin" of Mary. A Persian text calls her "mother's sister."
The birth of John the Baptst was announced in a most striking manner. Zachary and Elizabeth, as we learn from St. Luke, "were both just before God, walking in all the
commandments and justifications of the Lord without blame; and they had no son, for that Elizabeth was barren". Long they had prayed that their union might be blessed with offspring; but, now that "they were both advanced in years", the reproach of barrenness bore heavily upon them. "And it came to pass, when he executed the priestly function in the order of his course before God, according to the custom of the priestly office, it was his lot to offer incense, going into the temple of the Lord. And all the multitude of the people was praying without, at the hour of incense. And there appeared to him an angel of the Lord, standing on the right side of the altar of incense. And Zachary seeing him, was troubled, and fear fell upon him. But the angel said to him: Fear not, Zachary, for thy prayer is heard; and thy wife Elizabeth shall bear thee a son, and thou shalt call his name John: and thou shalt have joy and gladness, and many shall rejoice in his nativity. For he shall be great before the Lord; and shall drink no wine nor strong drink: and he shall be filled with the Holy Ghost, even from his mother's womb. And he shall convert many of the children of Israel to the Lord their God. And he shall go before him in the spirit and power of Elias; that he may turn the hearts of the fathers unto the children, and the incredulous to the wisdom of the just, to prepare unto the Lord a perfect people"
As Zachary was slow in believing this startling prediction, the angel, making himself known to him, announced that, in punishment of his incredulity, he should be stricken with dumbness until the promise was fulfilled. "And it came to pass, after the days of his office were accomplished, he departed to his own house. And after those days, Elizabeth his wife conceived, and hid herself five months" (1:23-24).
As to the date of the birth of John the Baptist, nothing can be said with certainty. The Gospel suggests that he was born about six months before Christ; but the year of Christ's nativity has not so far been ascertained. Nor is there anything certain about the season of Christ's birth, for it is well known that the assignment of the feast of Christmas to the twenty-fifth of December is not grounded on historical evidence, but is possibly suggested by merely astronomical considerations.
Of John's early life St. Luke tell us only that "the child grew, and was strengthened in
spirit; and was in the deserts, until the day of his manifestation to Israel"
Read the entire article in the Catholic Encyclopedia.
Read also the Saint of the day.
Fr. Ralph Thomas at the 8:30 a.m. Mass today recalled the proud history of St. John the Baptist Church at 1034 Brown Street. Bishop Richard Lennon said the final Mass there on Saturday, Ocdober 31, 2009, at 4 p.m. Many of the parishioners there are now St. Paul parishioners
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