I AM NOT THE BRIDEGROOM.
JESUS MUST INCREASE. I MUST DECREASE.
THE GOSPEL:
"Jesus and his disciples went into the region of Judea, where he spent some time with them baptizing.
John was also baptizing in Aenon near Salim, because there was an abundance of water there, and people came to be baptized, for John had not yet been imprisoned.
Now a dispute arose between the disciples of John and a Jew about ceremonial washings. So they came to John and said to him, “Rabbi, the one who was with you across the Jordan, to whom you testified, here he is baptizing and everyone is coming to him.”
“John answered and said, “No one can receive anything except what has been given from heaven. You yourselves can testify that I said that I am not the Christ, but that I was sent before him. The one who has the bride is the bridegroom; the best man, who stands and listens for him, rejoices greatly at the bridegroom’s voice. So this joy of mine has been made complete.
“He must increase; I must decrease.” (John 3: 22 - 30).
Saturday 11th January 2025. Last day in the Season of Christmas. We honor the Holy Mother of God whom the Church honors on Saturdays from ancient times.
"He [Jesus] must increase; I must decrease." (John 3: 30).
In the fullness of time, Jesus left Nazareth and after part hiking and part walking, He got to the River Jordan and was baptized by John the Baptist.
Later John was asked about Jesus: “Rabbi, the one who was with you across the Jordan, to whom you testified, here he is baptizing and everyone is coming to him.” (John 3: 20).
Then John uttered these thought provoking words:
"He must increase; I must decrease." John is saying: Jesus is the Messiah. I am only the messenger. He is the Word of God. I am only the Voice. No hint of jealousy from John. Compare this attitude to what we know of clerical jealousy in the Church.
John knew that the Bridegroom is the star and therefore deserves the place of honor.
Where must Jesus increase in your life? Where must you decrease? In your home, parish, workplace? Do you struggle with pride and envy? We have a perfect answer in the first Reading:
"We have this confidence in him, [God] that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. And if we know that he hears us in regard to whatever we ask, we know that what we have asked him for is ours." (1 John 5: 14 - 15).
"He [Jesus] must increase; I must decrease." (John 3: 30.)
Discern your destiny and your gifts. Discern the working of Divine Providence in your life.
Divine Providence is the plan, design, purpose that God has for your life when He created you. St John the Baptist had no illusion about who he is.
Embrace your place in the Church and in the world.
Glorify God with your time, talent and treasure. Strive for peace and serenity in 2025.
The Church honors the Most Holy Name of Jesus in January.
"Everything about our divine Lord is holy, including His Name. The Archangel Gabriel first spoke the name of Jesus to His mother, “Behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall name him Jesus” (Luke 1:31). The Archangel was only a messenger, so it was the Father in Heaven who gave Jesus his name."
Click the link below for the Litany of the Most Holy Name of Jesus, Prayer Intentions, etc.
Please pray that my wife would return to the church and our marriage.
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