Homily for the Solemnity of the Nativity of St John the Baptist

The Solemnity of the Nativity of John the Baptist – June 24, 2026

God delights in giving good gifts to those whom He loves.  And God gives gifts to individuals that enable them to do what God asks of them. 

Consider how generous God was to the Baptist’s parents, Elizabeth and Zechariah, with the birth of their son.  God was incredibly good to them.  And later Jesus would say of his cousin, “Among those born of women, no one is greater than John,” so we know John was gifted. 

Pondering the story of Zechariah, Elizabeth, and John, suggests gifts we might ask God to give us as we live our monastic life.    

Zechariah and Elizabeth had no children, as a result they experienced fragility and fear.  But they remained faithful and served God through it all, and God blessed them with a son, which amazed them and everyone.  We need to be courageous and trusting as we look at our future. 

Zechariah was rendered silent because of his questioning the angel about what God would do. But Elizabeth chose to join her husband in his silence, by going into seclusion with him.  Their shared silence and solitude provided a time of preparation for what was to come.

Elizabeth was filled with the gifts of hospitality and joy as she left her seclusion to welcome her young cousin Mary and the Child in her womb.  Our monastic life is to be marked by silence, solitude, hospitality and “unending joy” as well, and so we ask God to continue to gift us as He did Zechariah and Elizabeth. 

At the time of his son’s birth, Zechariah was obedient when named the child John and in doing so his speech was restored and he sang out praise to God.  We praise God as he did each day in our morning prayer.  We too seek to be obedient to God and our abbot knowing that will bring us many blessings.

And consider the gifts John was given from before his birth until the moment he was beheaded.  While still in the womb, John was sanctified by the Holy Spirit and leaped with joy in the presence of the Messiah.  At a young age, John went into the desert and there gained knowledge of who he was and what he was called to do.  He waited patiently until he knew it was time, and then he preached repentance and baptized countless people to prepare the way of the Lord.  And when Jesus began his public ministry, John humbled himself as he directed everyone, even his own disciples, to Jesus.  All the while he continued to call out people on their sin and tell them of need to prepare for the coming of the Messiah.  He remained faithful until death.

We need all the gifts God gave Zechariah and Elizabeth and John.  And as sons and daughters of the Father, and brothers and sisters of Jesus, all we need do is ask and trust that our prayers will be heard.