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Charity registration No. SC002876

Sunday June 20th. 2010

Page 5

Notices

t was Jesus himself who said: 'Never has there

appeared on earth a mother's son greater than John the

Baptist..

The birth of John the Baptist is one of the oldest feasts in the

Church's calendar. In the early days of the Church it was

difficult to mention Jesus Christ without referring to John the

Baptist so much were their lives woven together. John was

born in Judea, six months before Christ, of aged parents and

Elizabeth his mother was a cousin of Mary. He was an

unusual character, an eccentric who from his earliest years

lived in the wilderness.

He looked the part of a prophet with his long hair, flashing

eyes, rough camel hair coat and diet of locust and wild honey.

Once he began to preach, the crowds flocked to hear him and

were so fascinated by his message that many mistook him for

the Messiah. He was fearless in denouncing evil and a thorn

in the flesh of those who did not want to face the truth in their

lives. His popularity with the people prevented King Herod

from putting him to death when he condemned his adulterous

marriage to Herodias, his brother's wife. Instead he had him

arrested and chained up in a dark prison.

For those in search of God, John's greatest desire was to point

them towards Jesus. He was very clear in fulfilling his role of

being a voice crying in the wilderness preparing a way for the

Lord, and making straight his paths. He said: I must become

less and less, he must become more and more. I am not

worthy to untie the strap of his sandals.

His whole life was absorbed in being a fearless speaker for

God and a supporting character to Jesus.

In every age there is a need for prophets to speak out,

especially today, when Christianity is being marginalised in

so many areas and secularism is seeking to influence the

whole of our society. This is where the Catholic Church

plays such an important part with the encyclical letters of

the Popes which express the teachings of the Church when

faith and morals are being attacked.

The Birthday of John the Baptist, June 24 The world still needs a prophet