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.”
REFLECTION
"He must increase; I must decrease.”
Fame, glory, knowledge, degrees will pass away. Others will take our place. Depending on our accomplishments we might be remembered by the world.
What will help us on judgment day? Remember, God knows our hearts and it is in these hearts that He wishes to be. Our judgment will be based on what have we done for Him and how we have loved.
From the Word all things proceed. It is He who will welcome us and walk us into heaven. It is in Him that we must increase, be strong and peaceful. In joining with Jesus, we will be remembered by Him and our hearts will not be bogged down in a multitude of tasks and accomplishments. We want to follow Jesus and bend our wills to His.
Making progress in union with Him, we must become less and let Him increase in us.
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