13 JUNE
SAINT ANTHONY OF PADUA
Anthony was born in the city of Lisbon around 1195AD. He first entered the Augustinian order and later became one of the first disciples of St. Francis. He lived a holy life and was noted for his preaching, teaching and writing. He died at the age of thirty-six on the thirteenth of June in 1231AD. Since he passed his later years of his life in the city of Padua, the name of this town was attached to his name. He was canonized only a year after his death. Devotion to Saint Anthony was brought to Lebanon by the Franciscan missionaries in the fifteenth century AD. May his prayers be with us. Amen.
24 JUNE
BIRTH OF JOHN THE BAPTIZER
In both the Scriptures and in the church’s liturgy John the Baptizer is referred to as an angel, prophet, apostle, hermit and martyr, for these terms well describe his life and work. John, like the angels, was sent from God to be the messenger of the Lord. His message was that of the prophets who came before him: repent for the Messiah of God is at hand. Like the apostles who followed him, John pointed to Jesus and proclaimed him as the ‘’Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world.’’ He prepares for his ministry as a hermit in the desert, living a life of prayer, fasting and continence. Like all those who dare to proclaim the truth, he suffered a martyr’s death in fidelity to the word of God.
John, in fact, closely resembles the Lord Jesus in His birth, life and death. As Jesus was perfect, so John sought out, not only personal perfection, but also the perfect one, Jesus Christ.
The birth of John was announced by the Archangel Gabriel who would also announce Christ’s birth. His birth, like that of the Lord, was surrounded by improbability and wonder: for an aged couple, with no hope of offspring, the angel gives the joyful news of the birth of a son, John. While in the womb, John was sanctified for his mission of preaching repentance and pointing out the Messiah. Before their births, Jesus and John encountered each other in the persons of their mothers. As Mary greeted Elizabeth, John (still in the womb) jumped for joy as he recognized the presence of Jesus in the womb of Mary. Thus, John was born by grace of God before his human birth. Since he was to prepare the Lord’s way, it was only proper that he should be prepared by God’s grace for his prophetic work. May the prayers of John the Baptizer be with us. Amen.
