Sunday, June 22, 2008

Solemnity of the Birth of St. John the Baptist

Photos and Narration by Dr. herbert R.
How can I fail to give tribute to the greatest Prophet of all St. John the Baptist? The Church solemnly celebrates the birth of St. John the Baptist. Christ Himself said that there is no other prophet born of a woman greater than St. John the Baptist. When the disciples of John began to defect to Christ, and once this was told to the Baptizer, he was heard to say "I must decrease and he [Christ] must increase". What a statement! truly a statement of a Man destined to be great in the Kingdom of God. For Christ Himself said that they that humble themselves shall be great in the Kingdom of Heaven. The connection betwen John and Jesus was established by prophecy. When Mary visited Elizabeth, while in her womb, John showed his excitement by rejoicing. So too his mother Elizabeth showed her love and respect for the great Theotokus, the Mother of Our Lord. Whenever, I recite the Holy Rosary I could not fail to remember that Elizabeth and John were both closely tied to the Mystery of the Incarnation.
St. John the Baptist pray for us. St. Elizabeth, pray for us.

The Image of St. John the Baptist as Venerated in the Centuries Old Parish Church Dedicated in his honor in Tabaco City, Albay, in the Philippines

Several years ago, this old image of John the Baptist occupied the Central Reredo / Altar. This was usually the arrangement of pre-Vatican altars, even in the 70s the image remained in the main Sanctuary. But in the early 90s a newly assigned parish priest decided to renovate the Church. As to what liturgical principles they followed... I simply cannot comprehend. They demolished the high altar and replaced it with an oversized ach that did not match the ancient architechture and at the sametime seems useless and impractical. They also removed the Image of St. John and placed it on this side altar. But nonetheless even if relegated on the side altar, the voice of John the Baptist still resound with..."I must decrease and he must increase...".

The front View of the Centuries Old Church of John the Baptist

St. John was characterized by his simplicity and devotion to doing the will of God. He was indeed a precursor. he did not perform any miracle, but many hearts in the house of Israel were restored through penance and as symbolized by his baptism. Both John and Jesus showed obedience to the Father. When Jesus submitted Himself to John's Baptism, John protested and said that why should he baptized the Lord. But Jesus told him that they have to fulfill the will of God. Very beautiful lessons. My heart leaps for oy every time I meditate on this subjects. Adam and Eve fell because of pride but here the Lord and the Saints earned salvation by obeying the will of God.

The Belfry

When I was a child I was enthralled by the sounds of the bells from this tower. I remember the thunderous sound it would give and the other lesser bells joining the mother bell. During angelus it would ring and the passers by would stop by to pause for the Angelus (alas today this practice is no longer seen). My late grand mother use to attend the early morning Mass and these bells usually are the ones that woke us up. A children we were trained to wake up early. Today our city will celebrate the feast of St. John the Baptist.

Prayer

Lord Almighty, you have sent your servant John the Baptist to prepare the way of the Lord. Just as he has lived exemplifying your virtues and love for the Kingdom of God, may we also be permeated with that virtue that animated your ervant John the Baptist. We ask this through Christ our Lord, Amen.

St. John the Baptist pray for our City of Tabaco and deliver us from calamities, poverty, famine and hunger. Amen.


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