And in those days cometh John the Baptist preaching in the desert of Judea. And saying: Do penance: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand. For this is he that was spoken of by Isaias the prophet, saying: A voice of one crying in the desert, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make straight his paths. And the same John had his garment of camels' hair, and a leathern girdle about his loins: and his meat was locusts and wild honey. (Mt 3:1-4)
Today is June 24, the feastday of the Nativity of St John the Baptist, the last of the Old Testament prophets.
St John the Baptist was the precursor to the Messiah. As such, he went around preaching to the people and urging them to "Repent, for the Kingdom of God is at hand." He baptized people with water and sent them forth to change their lives for the better, in preparation for the coming of the Saviour. Later on Jesus came to St John the Baptist and asked to be baptized, in preparation for the great mission of saving us from our sins. Although St John the Baptist was hesitant to do this, saying that he is not worthy even to undo Jesus' sandals, St John baptized Jesus in order to fulfill Jesus' request, and what was already written in scripture.
Before St John the Baptist started his ministry, he went to the desert and prayed. Scripture has it that he was donned in camel hair and his diet consisted of wild honey and locusts.
In the spirit of St John the Baptist's feastday, the kids had watched an animated movie about St John the Baptist earlier in the day which was a nice reminder of how humble and virtuous this great prophet was; and this afternoon we had honey biscuits (which turned out nice and chewy), and locusts made from prunes and cut-out licorice strips.
Happy feastday of the Nativity of St John the Baptist!!! .. and.. bon appetit!!
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