MY daily reflection and prayer:
Saturday, January 9, 2016
After Epiphany of the Lord
Dear my friends,
Here is the Gospel for us today according to St. John 3:22-30
After this Jesus and his disciples went into the land of Judea; there he remained with them and baptized. John also was baptizing at Aenon near Salim, because there was much water there; and people came and were baptized. For John had not yet been put in prison. Now a discussion arose between John’s disciples and a Jew over purifying. And they came to John, and said to him, “Rabbi, he who was with you beyond the Jordan, to whom you bore witness, here he is, baptizing, and all are going to him.” John answered, “No one can receive anything except what is given him from heaven. You yourselves bear me witness, that I said, I am not the Christ, but I have been sent before him. He who has the bride is the bridegroom; the friend of the bridegroom, who stands and hears him, rejoices greatly at the bridegroom’s voice; therefore this joy of mine is now full. He must increase, but I must decrease.”
This is the Gospel of the Lord. Praise to you Lord Jesus Christ.
***
FROM the Gospel today we learn about the humility of St. John the Baptist. He says, “He must increase, but I must decrease.” This word is said when some of his friends complain that all the people are now going to Jesus. But St. John the Baptist, in his characteristic humility exclaims that Jesus Christ must increase, but he himself must decrease.
St. John the Baptist wants to say that he is not the Messiah but only the messenger sent to prepare his way. He describes the Messiah as the Bridegroom and himself as the friend of the Bridegroom. He also proclaims that Jesus is the anointed Messiah, sent from the Father in heaven to reunite his people to himself.
In the Perpetual Adoration of the Eucharist we worship Jesus Christ in our humility. We also want that Jesus Christ must increase and we must decrease.
Let’s pray: Lord Jesus Christ, you are our Messiah by pouring your blood upon the cross as the atoning sacrifice for our sins, seals us in a new covenant between God and each of us. May we never forget the love you have poured out for us when you shed your blood upon the Cross of Calvary for our sins and for our salvation now and forever. Amen.
Kredit foto: Ilustrasi (Ist)
