St. John the Baptizer was born of a barren woman (Lk 1:7). His father, Zechariah, was deaf and dumb throughout the nine months of Elizabeth’s pregnancy (Lk 1:20, 62). Zechariah was miraculously healed at John’s circumcision (Lk 1:64). These astounding events surrounding the conception and birth of John the Baptizer prompted the question: “What will this child be?” (Lk 1:66)

The answers to this question are:

1)      John the Baptizer was the “prophet of the Most High” (Lk 1:76).

2)      He was the new Elijah (Lk 1:17; Mt 11:14).

3)      “He was the lamp, set aflame and burning bright” (Jn 5:35).

4)      John was “a voice in the desert, crying out: ‘Make straight the way of the Lord!’ ” (Jn 1:23)

5)      He was not “a reed swaying in the wind” or “someone luxuriously dressed” (Mt 11:7-8).

6)      He was not worthy to unfasten Jesus’ sandals (Acts 13:25).

7)      John the Baptizer was the greatest person that had ever been born of woman up to that time (Mt 11:11).

Yet you and I, “the least born into the kingdom of God,” are greater than John (Mt 11:11). John the Baptizer was the greatest, but we are greater than the greatest because of what Jesus has done in our lives.

Rescript:  "In accord with the Code of Canon Law, I hereby grant the Nihil Obstat for the publication One Bread, One Body covering the period from June 1, 2021 through July 31, 2021. Reverend Steve J Angi, Chancellor, Vicar General, Archdiocese of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio January 20, 2021"

The Nihil Obstat ("Permission to Publish") is a declaration that a book or pamphlet is considered to be free of doctrinal or moral error. It is not implied that those who have granted the Nihil Obstat agree with the contents, opinions, or statements expressed.