ACC ~ Mark 1 v6a

SPIRITUAL FOOD IN THE DESERT

CLEMENT OF ALEXANDRIA: The blessed John disdained hair obtained from flocks of sheep as smelling of luxury. Instead he chose camel’s hair, making his life’s pattern one of simplicity and frugality. For he also “ate locusts and wild honey,” [1] sweet and spiritual food, preparing for the humble and self-controlled ways of the Lord. How could John have possibly worn a purple robe? He was one who avoided all false pretenses of the city and lived a calm existence in the desert apart from all frivolous pursuits, from anything ignoble or mean. CHRIST THE EDUCATOR 2.11. [2]

[1] Mk 1:6; Mt 3:4.

[2] TLG 0555.002, 2.10—112.1-24; cf. ANF 2:266.

THE EFFECT OF JOHN’S PREACHING ON CHRISTIAN DISCIPLINE

JEROME: John the Baptist had a religious mother and his father was a priest. Yet neither his mother’s affection nor his father’s affluence could induce him to live in his parents’ house at the risk of the world’s temptations. So he lived in the desert. Seeking Christ with his eyes, he refused to look at anything else. His rough garb, his girdle made of skins, his diet of locusts and wild honey were all alike designed to encourage virtue and continence. Later the spiritual descendants of the prophets, who were the monks of the Old Testament, would build for themselves huts by the waters of Jordan and forsaking the crowded cities live in these on pottage and wild herbs. [1] As long as you are at home, make your cell your paradise, gather there the varied fruits of Scripture, let them be your favorite companions, and take its precepts to your heart. [2] LETTER 125, TO RUSTICUS 7. [3]

[1] Cf 2 Kings 4:38-39; 6:1-2.

[2] Cf. Ps 119:69.

[3] Cetedoc 0620, 125.56.7.125.4; NPNF 2 6:246*. Having seen Christ with his eyes, he refused to look at anything else.

PRECURSOR OF A HIGHER PRIESTHOOD

BEDE: He esteemed the high priestly garment woven of gold cloth of less value than a garment made of camel’s hair, girded with a leather belt. [1] Why? Was it not that he who, by reason of a more perfect justice, had received for himself authority to preach, that he might show, even by the neglect of his ancestral right to the high priesthood, how certainly he was the herald and precursor of a more excellent high priesthood? [2] HOMILIES ON THE GOSPELS 2.19. [3]

[1] The issue is why John refused the ancestral right to high priesthood.

[2] Cf. Heb 3:1; 4:14; 5:10; 6:20.

[3] Cetedoc 1367, 2.19.36; HOG 2:190**.