Gospel: January 11, 2025

January 11, 2025 (Saturday)

Saturday After Epiphany

Psalter: Week 2 / (White)

Ps 149:1-2, 3-4, 5, 6a & 9b

The Lord takes delight in his people.

1st Reading: 1 John 5:14-21

Gospel: John 3:22-30

After this, Jesus went into the territory of Judea with his disciples. He stayed there with them and baptized. John was also baptizing in Aenon, near Salim, where water was plentiful; people came to him and were baptized. This happened before John was put in prison.

Now John’s disciples had been questioned by a Jew about spiritual cleansing, so they came to John and said, “Rabbi, the one who was with you across the Jordan, and about whom you spoke favorably, is now baptizing, and all are going to him.” John answered, “No one can receive anything, except what has been given to him from heaven.

You yourselves are my witnesses that I said, ‘I am not the Christ, but I have been sent before him.’ Only the bridegroom has the bride; but the friend of the bridegroom stands by and listens, and rejoices to hear the bridegroom’s voice. My joy is now full. It is necessary that he increase, but that I decrease

Reflection:

“He must increase… I must decrease.”

The 16th century Spanish mystic John of Avila had begun founding an order for the renewal of religious life and priesthood. It was very similar to that which Saint Ignatius of Loyola had in mind at much the same time. However, when John’s health started to fail, he encouraged the first few members to join Ignatius so that the latter’s order might flourish, rather than doggedly defending his own plans, to the detriment of both groups.

In his letters, drawing on the words of Saint John the Baptist, John of Avila simply said of Ignatius that “he must increase… I must decrease.” Both St. John the Baptist and St. John of Avila offer us examples of humility in the face of the temptation to fight to keep the focus on ourselves and on our own plans and activities, even when someone else’s are better. May we have the humility to see that we all have a part to play in God’s plan, and to rejoice and not be envious when other people’s talents flourish to the glory of God and the service of his people.