Reflection for January 8, Saturday after Epiphany: John 3:22-30

Gospel: John 3:22-30

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.”

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Reflection:

Are you not insecure when someone is given more importance than you? 

The followers of John and a Jew went to him to say that somebody was also baptizing. And He was attracting crowd more than that of John. As if they were urging John to go to that man (who was actually Jesus) and rebuke Him.  

But John told them that the man (Jesus) who was also baptizing was far more greater than himself. John knew where his place in the plan of God, he perfectly knew that he was not the anointed one.  

By John’s acceptance of his role in the plan of God, he accelerated Jesus’ mission of evangelization and salvation. He gave way to Jesus for the common good of the people God. 

Rivalry is an ever-present issue among church workers, among siblings and even married couples. But come to think of it, instead of having rivalry, why don’t we learn to accept our roles? Why not cooperate and build bridges instead of walls? 

In this gospel episode we learn from John’s humility. John is humble enough to accept his role in the plan of God. John knew where his rightful place in the plan of God. John is ever ready to give way to Jesus anytime because he was humble and self-effacing. 

Are we humble and self-effacing as well? And are we ready to simply fade away for the greater good? – Marino J. Dasmarinas