Very many manuscript codices likewise ascribe this third homily 'On the Nativity of St. John the Baptist' to St. Maximus. The chief place is held by three Vatican codices, 1277 (page 42), 1269, 1196 (page 24 on the reverse); then three Cassinese codices, 12 (page 322 on the reverse), 104 (page 167 on the reverse), CXI (page 71 on the reverse). Fully agreeing with these are the codex XII of Holy Cross in Jerusalem (page 71), the Novariensis 42 (page 80), the Augiensis XV, the Ratisbon codex of St. Emmeram (page 33), the Veronensis 431, the Martinensis, and the Ambrosian, all of which, with the name of Maximus inscribed, proclaim him the author. Concerning the editors there is no question; for as many as have embraced the two preceding homilies have likewise attributed this one to St. Maximus: namely Gymnicus (page
201), Galesinius (page 149), Cumdius (volume IV, page 394), Combefis (volume VI, page 123), Raynaudus (page 328), Margarinus in the Bibliotheca Maxima (volume VI, page 55). But it must not be passed over that no one up to this point has denied these three homilies to our Maximus. The genuine nativity of the venerable John the Baptist has consecrated the festivity of the present day, most beloved brethren—he who was for this reason directed into this world by a supernal dispensation, that not only might he himself be exalted with prophetic glory, but also that through him the heraldings of all the prophets might be confirmed. And not undeservedly do we now venerate him with a special honor, who by a certain special grace prophesied of the Redeemer of the world last, in order that he might be the first to show him.
For he alone of the prophets is the one who deserved to see with his own eyes our Lord Jesus Christ—whom others foreknew as to come in far-off times—and to announce him as present; for, as the most sacred Gospel relates, when the Lord came to his baptism, he burst forth into a voice of this kind: 'Behold the Lamb of God, behold him who takes away the sins of the world' (John 1). For this reason indeed the Saviour himself said of him to the crowds: 'What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A prophet? I say to you, and more than a prophet' (Matthew 11). More truly is he than a prophet, since all the others were heralds of a Christ yet to come; but this one came as the most approved witness of the Lord present.
He is more than a prophet, into whose hands the Son of God bowed himself to be baptized—which was granted to none of the prophets. He is more than a prophet, of whose merits so great is the prerogative, that at one and the same moment he might, as arbiter of heaven and earth, dip in the Jordan him who was submerged in the waters, might also behold the Holy Spirit coming down in the form of a dove, and might hear the voice of the attesting Father from heaven (Matthew 3). This is that one whom, by God's inspiration, the foreknowing Isaiah announces, saying: 'A voice of one crying in the wilderness: Prepare the way of the Lord' (Isaiah 40). How fittingly, most beloved brethren, was the blessed John proclaimed a voice, who was sent as both herald and witness of the heavenly Word.
This is that one whose nativity, and name, and merit are foretold through the angel Gabriel. This is also he who, by the judgment of the heavenly sentence, is set before all mortals, the Lord saying: 'There has not risen among those born of women a greater than John the Baptist' (Matthew 11); how beautifully it is said that among those born of women there is none greater than John, because that one was altogether greater who was born of a virgin. This is also he who chose rather to be laid low by a king than not to rebuke the king who was sinning. In view of these things, take heed, most beloved;
how great reverence, how great devotion we ought to expend upon this one, who, that he might be honorable, was prophesied by the Holy Spirit, promised by an angel, praised by the Lord, and consecrated by the perpetual glory of a holy death. For it was fitting that a wondrous life should follow his mystical nativity, and that a death devoted to God should conclude a holy and perfect life. Wherefore, brethren, throughout the whole world today the Church of Christ celebrates with a most joyful festivity the beginnings of his nativity—he who, a most faithful witness, revealed to an astonished world that eternal joys are present for mortals.