John The Baptist, Friend Of The Bridegroom

[written for The Southern Cross, newspaper of the Diocese of Savannah]

The parish of our magnificent Cathedral of Saint John the Baptist in Savannah has been under the patronage of this great saint since the late 18th century. When the Baptist roamed Judea he wore clothes made of camel’s hair with a leather belt, ate locusts and wild honey while spending his time by the river preaching repentance and baptizing those willing. His description does not sound very appealing, yet Jesus said of his older cousin, “among those born of women there has been none greater than John the Baptist.”

Today the Church celebrates his birth. Along with December 25th and September 8th, it is one of three feasts in the Church’s liturgical calendar that celebrate a nativity. The fact that the Church only officially celebrates the birth of Jesus, the Virgin Mary and John the Baptist indicates the Church takes seriously Jesus’ words about Saint John, that under the Old Covenant, none greater than John the Baptist has been born of woman.

Saint John the Baptist describes himself in the Gospel of Saint John, revealing his personal understanding of the mission entrusted to him. “The one who has the bride is the bridegroom; the friend of the bridegroom, who stands and listens for him, rejoices greatly at the bridegroom’s voice. So this joy of mine has been made complete.”

John is the friend of the bridegroom, while the bridegroom is Jesus Christ. The joy of Saint John is found in the fulfillment of Jesus’ mission, in hearing the voice of Jesus. As the best man at a wedding rejoices seeing his friend ecstatic watching his bride approach the altar, so John the Baptist rejoices to see Jesus approach His people to fulfill the New Covenant.

May Saint John the Baptist, patron of our mother church, the Cathedral of Saint John the Baptist, help us also become friends of the bridegroom so that our joy will be made complete in the hearing of the bridegroom’s voice.