Birth of John the Baptist - 24 June

Call Him Zechariah

John the Baptist was a priest because his father, Zechariah, was one. The latter had experienced his own "Anunciation" and became mute when he questioned the angelic message.
After John's birth his relatives suggested naming him after his father. This is strange since the custom was to confer the name of a recently deceased kinsman. Instead both parents give him the name supplied by the angel: John. It means "God is gracious." Zechariah immediately regains the power of speech.

John the Baptist

Today we celebrate one of those special feasts that replaces the Sunday observance when it falls on that day. It is part of a series of feasts that prepare us for next Christmas. It is a contrast with Christmas. The birth of John is celebrated just as the daylight begins to decrease. Christmas falls right as the daylight begins to increase. The dating of both feasts has more to do with the amount of light than history. John had said, "I must decrease that he may increase."

Related: Resources on Sunday Readings - Clipart, homelies, articles, coloring pages, music: Matthew, Mark, Luke, John

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