Last of the Great Prophets
John the Baptist
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John the Baptist spent his adult life preparing the way for Jesus, proclaiming “the Kingdom of Heaven is close at hand.”. He was born to Zechariah and Elizabeth, an elderly married couple. The Angel Gabriel had visited Zechariah and told him that his wife would bear a child, even though she was already past the child-bearing age. As a baby in the womb, John recognized Jesus’ presence in Mary’s womb when Mary visited Elizabeth soon after the Annunciation. As a young adult, John lived as a hermit in the desert of Judea until about A.D. 27. When he was 30, he began to preach on the banks of the Jordan, calling for repentance and baptizing people in the river waters. When Jesus came to John to be baptized, John recognized Jesus as the Messiah and baptized Him, saying: “It is I who need baptism from you.” John continued to preach after Jesus was baptized, but was imprisoned soon after by Herod. John was beheaded at the request of Salome, daughter of Herod. Many future Christians came to know Jesus through John, namely the Apostles Andrew and John.

The Solemnity of the Nativity of Saint John the Baptist is June 24th.