In a few days the Church celebrates the Feast of the Visitation of Mary. For this reason, I wish to dedicate an article to Saint John the Baptist, since he is the origin of this feast.

The genealogy of Jesus

In Baroque and Rococo churches, such as St. Michael’s in Berg am Laim (Munich) or Ettal (Upper Bavaria), a large painting of the genealogy of Jesus was often hung on one of the side altars. It depicted, along with the Holy Family, Mary’s parents, as well as her cousin Elizabeth with Zechariah and John (the Baptist).

The person who commissioned this painting wanted to highlight an essential aspect of Jesus’ life: his predilection for the family as a divine institution. God is a “family man.” He created it and allowed his Son to live for thirty years within a family. It is no wonder, then, that the greatest and last prophet came from the circle of his own family, and that is what this article is about.

The connection with Jesus

Of the four evangelists, Luke is the only one who tells the story of the infant Jesus; his story also includes the story of John. God’s plan foretold that John would come into the world six months before Jesus. This gap is explained by the fact that John was to be born without original sin thanks to the intervention of Jesus.

Luke dedicates the first chapter of his Gospel to the story of John’s birth. It is noteworthy that, as with Mary, it is the archangel Gabriel who announces the good news. In this way, alongside the temporal link, another connection is also established between Jesus and John. This union is reinforced by family ties: their mother, Elizabeth, is a cousin of the Mother of Jesus.

This detail reveals the care with which God crafted the plan of redemption. And also the predilection God has for the institution of the family—as already mentioned.

The Annunciation to Mary

In Luke (1:26) we read:  “In the sixth month, the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a town in Galilee called Nazareth, to a virgin .” For the author of the text, it was evident that the temporal indication “in the sixth month” referred to the previous account about John.

If John was to be the forerunner of Jesus, he had to come into the world before him. So far, so understandable. But how far in advance did he have to be born? Before answering that, let’s take a step back and recall the words of the angel Gabriel to Zechariah:  “He will be filled with the Holy Spirit even from his mother’s womb”  (Lk 1:15).

In this context, I like to quote Isaiah 49:1:  “The Lord called me from the womb; from my mother’s womb he named me . ”

God not only had great plans for John; He wanted to confer upon him an extraordinary dignity: a unique vocation and, moreover, liberation from original sin even before his birth.

Mary visits Elizabeth

God had ordained that Jesus perform this act of liberation from original sin. But Jesus had not yet been born. He lived in Nazareth and John in Judea. That’s more than 100 km apart. How does God resolve such a “problem”?

The angel informs Mary that her older cousin is also expecting a child. It was clear to Mary that Elizabeth, given her age, would be overwhelmed by the pregnancy and would need help. Without hesitation, Mary  sets out for her “cum festinatione ,” that is, as quickly as possible.

Let us allow Luke (1:41) to tell us what happened when Mary arrived at Elizabeth’s house:  “When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the baby leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit . “

Although not dogma, some theologians and mystics see this as the moment when the Child Jesus freed John from original sin. Thus, God places John on a pedestal: Mary is completely free from original sin; John, even before birth; all others, only through baptism. God establishes a clear hierarchy, which is manifested here. With this, He places the prophet and relative John on a high level, above all of us, but below Mary, Mother, Daughter, and Spouse of God.

Now we understand the reason for the six months. The precision with which God works has always fascinated me. Especially considering that the angel only mentions Elizabeth’s pregnancy when Mary asks him about her own. This reminds us that, although we act freely, God integrates our actions into His plans.

The angel Gabriel doesn’t order Mary to visit her cousin so that God can perform the miracle. He knows Mary’s way of thinking and what the news of her cousin’s pregnancy will provoke in her. God doesn’t impose his plans. He fully respects our freedom. However, he is able to carry out his designs without violating our freedom. In this, his true omnipotence is revealed.

Isaiah (65:23) expressed it in a single sentence:  “My chosen ones will not labor in vain .” In other words: we are all collaborators in God’s plans.

John’s mission

That God had great plans for John was known to the people of Judea from very early on. In the text of Luke (1:66) we read that the neighbors of Zechariah and Elizabeth  “treasured him in their hearts, saying, ‘What then will this child become?’ For indeed the hand of the Lord was with him . ”

The evangelist John (1:6-7) describes the mission of the Baptist more precisely:  “There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. He came as a witness, to bear witness about the light, so that all might believe through him . ”

John said of himself,  “I am the voice of one crying out in the wilderness, ‘Make straight the way of the Lord’”  (1:23). When asked if he was a prophet, he answered no. And yet, he was not only a prophet, but the greatest and, at the same time, the last.

In Matthew 11:9-10 we read what Jesus said to the crowd about John:  “What did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet. This is the one about whom it is written: ‘See, I am sending my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way… Among those born of women there has not risen anyone greater than John the Baptist . ’”

With this text Jesus describes John’s mission and highlights his honor, which is greater than that of a prophet.

John baptizes Jesus

John received a very specific task: to baptize Jesus. Something unique happened: the entire Trinity was present at that baptism. Such was the importance of this event in the plan of redemption.

At first, John rejected this mission out of humility. In John 1:33 we read:  “The one on whom you see the Spirit descend and remain is the one who baptizes with the Holy Spirit . ”

As a prophet, John was to announce the coming of the Messiah and prepare the people for it (Luke 1:17). The entrance verse of the Mass for the feast of John says:  “He came as a witness to testify to the light (that is, to Jesus) and to prepare the people for the Lord .” In Latin, the expression is even more eloquent:  “Parare Domino plebem perfectam ,” that is,  “to prepare for the Lord a perfect people . ”

The Gospels contain many passages that refer to John. Through these, the evangelists document the outstanding importance of the Baptist, prophet, and relative of Jesus.

John before Herod – the voice of truth

We have already written about John’s steadfastness. This led him to denounce King Herod for adultery. Herod perceived John’s spiritual authority and integrity. Although John harshly criticized him for his illegitimate marriage to his sister-in-law Herodias, Herod sought to speak with him. In Mark 6:20 we read:  “He was greatly perplexed when he heard him, yet he liked to listen to him . ”

This short text confirms what Jesus said about John: he does not give in and names sin clearly, even though the recipient is a king.

Lessons from the life of John

From the many texts about John the Baptist, several lessons for us can be drawn, in my opinion:

1. Firmness in the truth about sin , coupled with a conciliatory approach to the person affected.
2. To carry out to the end, with courage , the mission received from God.
3. Approach God with humility .
4. Trust that God’s plans are the best option  for us.

Conclusion

Although John the Baptist’s life unfolded on a higher plane than our own, we can draw important lessons from it for our own lives: God has a clear plan for each of us; it is up to us to accept it and carry it out in complete freedom. When God proposes a plan to a person, He also grants them the necessary grace to accomplish it:  “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness”  (2 Corinthians 12:9).

John lived more than 2000 years ago. His testimony is more relevant than ever.