Reflection for January 10 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:

Would we be willing to decrease so that Jesus may increase? Would we be willing to remain faceless workers in the vineyard of the Lord, content to serve even when no one notices our labor?

John the Baptist had no insecurities whatsoever toward Jesus, for he knew where he stood in the plan of salvation. He knew who he was—and more importantly, he knew who Jesus is. When he was told that Jesus was baptizing and that everyone was coming to Him, he did not feel threatened, nor did he compete for attention. Instead, he calmly said: “You yourselves can testify that I said that I am not the Christ, but that I was sent before Him” (John 3:28).

And then he gave us one of the most beautiful images of humble discipleship: “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 3:29–30).

John was never tempted to upstage Jesus, even when there was an inviting opportunity to do so. He knew perfectly well that his role was to be the best man for the Bridegroom, who is Jesus. He understood that his mission was simply to prepare the way for Him—and he fulfilled this mission with deep joy and profound humility. For John, it was enough that Christ be known, loved, and followed, even if he himself faded into the background.

Is this not also our calling? We, too, are sent not to draw attention to ourselves, but to point others to Jesus. We, too, are invited to rejoice not in our own importance, but in the triumph of God’s will. True joy is found not in being seen, praised, or remembered, but in knowing that Christ is increasing in the hearts of those we serve.

Are we willing to step aside, to be forgotten if necessary, so that Jesus may be more clearly seen in our lives? Are we ready to decrease, so that He alone may increase in us, and through us? — Marino J. Dasmarinas