Saint John the Baptist gave himself up completely to the will of God…Saint Nikolai Velimirovič

SAINT JOHN THE FORERUNNER AND BAPTIST

 Saint Nikolai Velimirovič

HOMILY About submission to the Will of God

“Your will be done, on earth as in heaven” (St. Matthew 6:10).

Blessed be John the Baptist, for he fulfilled the Good News before the arrival of the Good News! Going into the wilderness, he gave himself up completely to the will of God, both body and soul. The will of God was carried out in his body on earth as well as in the heaven of his soul. Neither hunger nor wild beasts did harm his body throughout the many years that he spent in the wilderness. Neither was his soul harmed by despair because of loneliness, nor pride because of heavenly visions. He did not seek from man either bread or knowledge. God granted him everything that was necessary for him because he gave himself up completely to the will of God.

Neither did he direct his footsteps in the wilderness nor away from the wilderness. An invisible rudder from on high steered his life. For when it was necessary for him to depart the wilderness and go out to meet the Lord, it is said: “The Word of God came to John” (St. Luke 3:2). As an innocent youth, in this manner John spoke simply about his communication with the powers of heaven: “And I did not know Him [Christ] but the One Who sent me to baptize with water told me, `On whomever you see the Spirit come down and remain, He is the One Who will baptize with the Holy Spirit.’ Now I have seen and testified that He is the Son of God” (St. John 1: 33-34). How tenderly and simply he speaks about heavenly things! How he is as awesome as a lion when he speaks out against the injustice of men, against Herod and Herodias! The lamb and the lion dwell in him together. Heaven is as close to him as a mother is to her child. The will of God is as accessible and clear to him as the angels in heaven.

O Lord, Most-wise, direct the lives of us sinners in the wilderness of this life according to Your will as You directed the life of St. John the Baptist.

To You be glory and thanks always. Amen.

The Prologue from Ohrid: Lives of Saints by Saint Nikolai Velimirovič, for Old Calendar date January 07, and New Calendar date January 20.

Troparion St. John the Forerunner (Tone 2)

The memory of the righteous is celebrated with songs of praise,But the Lord’s testimony is sufficient for you, O Forerunner.You were shown indeed to be the most Honorable of the Prophets,For in the waters you baptize the one whom you preached.After suffering with joy on behalf of the truth,You proclaimed even to those in hell the God who appeared in the flesh Who takes away the sin of the world,And grants us great mercy!

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