Saturday after Epiphany, January 11, 2025

Reflection on the WORD

“John the Baptist’s Joy” – Faith: In today’s Gospel, John the Baptist heard that great crowds were going to Jesus to be Baptised; filled with great joy he proclaimed, “He must grow greater; I must grow less.” Ponder on, “Unlike John, do we ‘compare and compete’ with others, because of our insecurities and pride; and fail to serve God’s Willwholeheartedly?”

John 3:22-23, 26-30

Jesus went with his disciples into the Judaean countryside and stayed with them there and baptised. John also was baptising at Aenon near Salim, where there was plenty of water, and people were going there and were being baptised. They went to John and said, ‘Rabbi, the man who was with you on the far side of the Jordan, the man to whom you bore witness, is baptising now, and everyone is going to him.’ 

John replied: ‘No one can have anything except what is given him from heaven. You yourselves can bear me out. I said, “I am not the Christ; I am the one who has been sent to go in front of him.” 

‘It is the bridegroom who has the bride; and yet the bridegroom's friend, who stands there and listens to him, is filled with joy at the bridegroom's voice. This is the joy I feel, and it is complete. He must grow greater, I must grow less.’

Today's Pointers on God's Word

As you read the passage what words, phases or meanings caught your attention?

  • The disciples of John the Baptist were uneasy at Jesus baptizing and attracting followers. Tensions will emerge if we are to feel “threatened” by the ministries of other groups.
  • Such “uneasiness” is worsened by the negative attitudes and competitive spirits of the secular world that we imbibe daily.  John’s response was positive and simple.  He focused his attention on pointing everyone to Christ. 
  • We are ‘nothing’ without God; all our talents, gifts, wealth, life and faith come from Him. Focus on serving God and not on trying to “compete” or condemn what we perceive as our “competitors” of Christ.