He Must Increase

 He Must Increase

January 12, 2013

Saturday After Epiphany

We have this confidence in him 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

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 3:27-30

Piety

Take, Lord, and receive all my liberty, my memory, my understanding, and my entire will.  All I have and call my own.  Whatever I have or hold, you have given me.  I return it all to you and surrender it wholly to be governed by your will.  Give me only your love and your grace and I am rich enough and ask for nothing more.   (St. Ignatius, from the end of the Spiritual Exercises)

Study

Who doesn't recall the childish arguments like "I was here first?"  Or playing "King of the Hill?"  Or fighting over who gets the bigger slice of birthday cake?  Sometimes, we think that mere presence -- showing up -- is all it takes.  Yet true humility demands great maturity and perspective to recognize who is on the "advance team" and who is the real leader.  

John the Baptist was the ultimate advance team member.  He knew his place in the scheme of salvation.  With honest humility, he would not be drawn into a battle with his followers once Jesus began his public ministry.  John knew that his place was "to guide our feet into the way of peace."

Action

How often does our own ego get in the way of our work?  Too often the slogan for modernity is "So what? Who cares? What's in it for me?" 

John the Baptist reminds us that life is not about what's in it for me.  Life is not about increasing the size of our car, our house or our retirement account.  Success does not mean having a more numerous staff or more position power where we work.  These are just a manifestation of what we have been blessed with from heaven.

How can we be like the friends who stand in a place of honor all the while rejoicing for the bride and groom?