SAINT JOHN THE BAPTIST by DEACON JOHN CLYMORE
This weekend we celebrate the solemnity of Saint John the Baptist. There are only three birthdays celebrated by the church in the liturgical calendar: John the Baptist, (June the 24th) (Mary Sept. 8th) and (Jesus Dec. 25th). These integral to the plan of salvation were each born without original sin. It is for that reason that we celebrate there births as liturgical solemnities. Saint John the Baptist is so important to the life of the church that, as with this weekend, it supersedes the Sunday of ordinary time. In my humble opinion (he is 2nd) only to Mary the Mother of God. The most powerful prophet of the New Testament, john follows the footsteps of Elijah, & Elisha. Elisha asked & received a double portion of the holy–spirit. John was filled with the Holy Spirit for God knew him before he was born. It was god who named him John & God who delivered him to precede Jesus. God has given our families the gift of the Baptism by water and fire. Dad’s lead there children t