The gospel of Luke has many references to John the Baptist. The writer tells us of the announcement of John’s birth to his father in the Temple, the visitation of Mary to Elizabeth, and the birth itself followed by his father Zechariah’s song of praise, the Benedictus. Chapter 2 of the gospel ends with the telling verse that ‘the child grew and became strong in Spirit, and he was in the wilderness until the day of his manifestation to Israel’

John is often described as the ‘forerunner; the one who prepared the way for Christ, calling people to repentance, encouraging them to live lives worthy of their calling in imminent anticipation of the coming of the Anointed One.

‘John prophesied within the hidden confines
of his mother’s womb.
Francis,
still unaware of God’s guidance
foretold things to come.’

(From ‘The Remembrance of the Desire of a Soul’, by Thomas of Celano)

Birth of John the Baptist © The Benedictine Sisters of Turvey Abbey   Copyright Administration: McCrimmons Publishing Co. Ltd www.mccrimmons.com (used with permission)