Gospel: John
1:19-28
This is
the testimony of John. When the Jews from Jerusalem sent priests and Levites to
him to ask him, “Who are you?” He admitted and did not deny it, but admitted, “I
am not the Christ.” So they
asked him, “What are you then? Are you Elijah?” And he said, “I am not.” “Are
you the Prophet?” He answered, “No.” So they said to him, “Who are you, so we
can give an answer to those who sent us? What do you have to say for yourself?”
He said: “I am the voice of one crying out in the desert, ‘Make straight the
way of the Lord,’ as Isaiah the prophet said.” Some Pharisees were also sent. They
asked him, “Why then do you baptize if you are not the Christ or Elijah or the
Prophet?” John answered them, “I baptize with water; but there is one among you
whom you do not recognize, the one who is coming after me, whose sandal strap I
am not worthy to untie.” This happened in Bethany across the Jordan, where John
was baptizing.
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Reflection:
Are you
sometimes tempted to assume honor that is not for you? John had the opportunity
assume who he was not but he did not succumb to the temptation of fleeting power,
adulation and popularity.
We cannot
compare to John the Baptist in every aspect of his virtuous life. His humility
is beyond question; his steadfastness to fight for what is right and moral is
worthy of our emulation. John remained true to his mission as the precursor of
Jesus.
How about
you? Are you humble enough to let others take credit for an endeavor which was
partly realized with your help? Are you humble enough to simply be on the
sidelines when you have all the opportunity to be in the frontlines?
It’s very tempting to ego trip and take credit
for something that is not for us. But the gospel is telling us that we must be
humble at all times. We must not bestow upon ourselves our own achievements we should
rather let others bestow it upon us and humbly accept it.
John teaches
us that true greatness before the Lord is only possible through humility no
other way but through humility only. Never mind the adulation or praises of the
crowd for these are intoxicating, temporary and passing.
Never
mind if others are taking credit for the good that you’ve done for God is not
sleeping anyway. God sees everything that we do we cannot hide anything from
Him. Not only that God sees us; He also knows our hidden and unhidden motives.
Always be
humble if you want to be close to Jesus and always be humble if you want to
grow in faith. – Marino J. Dasmarinas
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