Now John’s disciples had been questioned by a Jew about spiritual cleansing, so they came to John and said,
“Rabbi, the one who was with you across the Jordan, and about whom you spoke favorably, is now baptizing,
end all are going to him.”
John answered, “No one can receive anything, except what has been given to him from heaven.
You yourselves are my witnesses that I said, ‘I am not the Christ, but I have been sent before him.
Only the bridegroom has the bride; but the friend of the bridegroom stands by and listens, and rejoices to hear the bridegroom’s voice.
My joy is now full. It is necessary that he increase, but that I decrease.
REFLECTION:
Worldly standards make people aspire for more in almost every aspect of life, to be always better and more powerful than others.
Competition dominates different levels of society: in the academe, workplaces, and even among siblings.
John the Baptist’s attitude as portrayed in today’s gospel challenges this worldly standard. His condescending attitude,
“It is necessary that he (Jesus) increase, but that I decrease,” is indeed very edifying but very rare to find in our present society.
To allow other people to take the center stage while I take the backstage is not easy.
It requires humility to admit that I am not always the best in all aspects of life.
One way to keep us humble is to remember that we are dust and unto dust we shall return.
© Copyright Bible Diary 2020