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Restoration of Sistine Chapel: The Baptism of Christ Scott 1172 (2001) Today marks the Feast of the Passion of Saint John the Baptist, the precursor of Jesus Christ, who died on this day in A.D. 30 according to the Latin religious calendar. The feast of his birth was celebrated on June 24. John the Baptist was the son of Zachariah, a priest of the Temple, and Elizabeth, a cousin of the Blessed Virgin Mary who bore John despite being advanced in years. His birth and name were foretold by an angel, and he first appeared in ca. 27 both preaching and baptizing in the River Jordan. He took on the style of Old Testament prophets, dressed in animal skins, eating locusts and honey. He proclaimed a message of repentance and preparation for the coming of the Messiah and the new Kingdom. He baptized some of Jesus’ disciples, including Peter and Andrew. John baptized Jesus, and recognized him as the Messiah when he saw the Holy Spirit come down upon Jesus after his baptism. As found in the Gospels (John 1: 32-36): "And John bore witness, ‘I saw the Spirit descend as a dove from heaven and remain on him. I myself did not know him; but he who sent me to baptize with water said to me, ‘He on whom you see the Spirit descend and remain, this is he who baptizes with the Holy Spirit.’ And I have seen and have borne witness that this is the Son of God.’ The next day again John was standing with two of his disciples; and he looked at Jesus as he walked, and said, Behold the Lamb of God."  "Beheading of Saint John the Baptist" by Massimo Stanzione (circa 1634) From Wikimedia Commons, in the Public Domain John would be arrested and imprisoned because he denounced the incestuous union of Herod Antipas with his niece and brother’s wife, Herodias. His head was demanded by her daughter, Salome. The act of his beheading is depicted in the painting above by Massimo Stanzione. Jesus memorialized the importance of John the Baptist when he stated: "Among those who are born of women there is not a greater prophet." (Luke 8:28) John’s relics were buried at Segaste (Samaria), but the tomb was later desecrated. Various relics are located at Rome and elsewhere. As was discussed in the email on June 24 for the nativity of John the Baptist, he is not specifically pictured on a stamp issued by Vatican City, although his image appears on some stamps, like the stamp at the top of this article showing the baptism of Jesus Christ. However, he annually appears on stamps issued by the Sovereign Military Order of Malta (SMOM), as he serves as the patron saint of the Order. Click on the Poste Magistrali link in the references to see the latest SMOM stamp portraying Saint John the Baptist. REFERENCES: |
