E07234: In his Sermon 216, On the nativity of St. John the Baptist, Caesarius bishop of Arles (southern Gaul), explains and extols the feast of the nativity of *John the Baptist (S00020), and enjoins his congregation to behave appropriately. Written in Latin at Arles, 503/542.

Caesarius of Arles, Sermon 216, In natale Sancti Iohannis Baptistae

Caesarius explains that this is the feast of the nativity of John (not the feast of his martyrdom), a unique honour for a saint:

1. Natalem sancti iohannis, fratres carissimi, hodie celebramus: quod nulli umquam sanctorum legimus fuisse concessum. Solius enim domini et beati Iohannis dies nativitatis in universo mundo celebratur et colitur [...]

'1. Today we are celebrating the day St. John was born, dearest brethren, something which we read has never been granted to any of the [other] saints. Only the birthday of our Lord and that of Blessed John are celebrated and honoured throughout the world ...'

John’s greatness is extolled, above that of all other men, but Caesarius also stresses his inferiority to Christ:

2. [...] Vt humiliaretur homo, eo die natus est iohannes, quo incipiunt decrescere dies; ut exaltetur deus, eo die natus est christus, quo incipiunt crescere dies. Magnum sacramentum, fratres dilectissimi: ideo celebramus natalem iohannis sicut et christi, quia ipsa nativitas plena est mysterio [...]

'... In order that man might be humbled, John was born on the same day that the days begin to grow shorter; in order that God might be exalted, Christ was born on the very day when the days begin to grow longer. It is a great mystery, dearly beloved, and for these reason we celebrate the birthday of John like that of Christ, because birth itself is full of mystery ...'

John’s greatness is further extolled, before Caesarius exhorts his congregation to behave properly before and at the feast:

4. [...] nec permittamus voluptuosos quosque sollemnitatem sanctam luxoriosa proferendo polluere. Tunc enim pro nobis sanctus iohannes quicquid petierimus poterit obtinere, si nos festivitatem suam pacificos, castos, sobrios absque ullo turpiloquio cognoverit celebrare.

'… let us not permit pleasure-seeking men to defile the sacred feast with sensual behaviours. Then St John will be able to obtain for us whatever we ask, if he knows that we are celebrating his feast as peaceable, chaste, and temperate men, free from any immodest speech.'

Text: Morin, vol. 2, 858-861. Translation: Mueller, vol. 3, 117-120, modified.