INFORMATION ABOUT ST JOHN THE BAPTIST, OUR PATRON SAINT

It is good to be here with you for this celebration. I am grateful that you asked me for June 24 th /22 rather than August 29 th . It is good to celebrate a non violent day. (29 August markes the Be-heading of John)

I wonder how much the patron of your church, this man, a gift of God has shaped your life?

We celebrate two births in the Christian year, seeing them as hallowed events. John's birth then 6 months later Jesus.

John's birth foretold to Zechariah to be a time of joy and gladness. We can make today such a time.

Let's explore together the events around the birth story. Can you remember asking your relatives about your birth? What, one wonders, John the Baptist would have been told as a young child when he asked about his birth. Have you been asked? What you see from early photos and hear can affect your life. I had a cousin whose baby photos showed her as untidy and unkempt. She mentioned this to my mother who said Oh no and gave her a photo where she was well dressed and tidy which is my mum's memory of her as a child. That made a difference to my cousin's self respect and feeling about her parents. .

Zechariah was a priest of the course of Abijah, the 8 th of the 24 courses into which the priests were divided. There were 800 priests in the division. Imagine doing the worship roster.

Zechariah was a village priest, not one of the elite from Jerusalem . He took his turn at temple worship, and did the special tasks could be chosen by lot.The lighting the incense on the altar of the temple may have been a once in a lifetime ministry for him.

Zechariah and Elizabeth were described as being just, walking in all the commandments. They were admired even though in those times to not have a child was seen as a disgrace. Elizabeth would even be treated as a stranger in the family.

Her position in her husband's family was not secure until she had a son, then she would have a blood relation to link her.

The good news for Zechariah and Elizabeth heard from the angel Gabriel left him overwhelmed- like a stunned mullet. His subsequent lack of being able to speak was a dishonour . Eloquence was a male virtue and besides he could not even give the public blessing as he returned to the worshippers. Don't you feel for him, those of you who are in the public worship rosters. What a personal and confusing disappointment.

We are reminded in this conception story that God knows his prophets even before they are born. They are consecrated and called from the womb.

The pregnant Elizabeth did not have to hide away. Perhaps she waited in private for 5 months until her pregnancy was obvious and proceeding well. We now hear of the community around them rejoicing.

The Song of Zechariah which burst forth from the lips of Zechariah after the birth of John shows Zechariah's learning. He links quotes of the tradition from memory. The song which we know as the Benedictus has quotes from Psalms 41,111,132, 105,106 and Micah 7. It was a mosaic showing detailed knowledge for the tradition. His status would be restored. A special poem for a special occasion. We can only imagine the excitement of this birth.

We can imagine also John growing up in an environment rich in religious knowledge and culture. Elizabeth with her spiritual sensitivity shown when the pregnant Mary visited. Zechariah with his love of the tradition. How carefully John would have been brought up, even if the years were limited. Another holy family, caring for the ministry ahead.

I mentioned to a person I met during the week that I was thinking of this sermon. She told me of her son who for 11 years lived in a hermit' s hut that he had repaired in Britain , a modern type of living in the wilderness. She was so proud. 600 people used to visit him annually to enquire of his wisdom.

John was to leave his village to go to the wilderness, into the harsh rocky desert beyond the Jordan to fast and pray. He protested against affluence by having a simple diet of locust and wild honey, wearing rough garments of camels hair, tied with a leather girdle. From there John prepared the people for the ministry of Christ. Thousands came to hear him. He kept to his special role, did not let people think he was the Messiah. Jesus spoke of him with the greatest respect and love.

How might this church honour John. Is it to nurture the children well as Zechariah, Elizabeth and the village people did? –rejoicing in a birth of new life, seeing the possibility of a call of God ..

Could it include modeling a simple life style, with bold utterance.

Is it to preach, speak of the need to live with respectful ethics, to tell of the call of Christ. Or to write joyful hymns of praise for special occasions?

How does the patronage of John the Baptist shape you as a person, as a community and Cate as a priest ?

Left - Jesus and John the Baptist as babies

Right - icon of John.