1ST JOHN 5: 14 – 21

Beloved: This is the confidence which we have in the Son of God, that if we ask anything according to his will he hears us. And if we know that he hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we have obtained the requests made of him. If any one sees his brother committing what is not a deadly sin, he will ask, and God will give him life for those whose sin is not deadly. There is sin which is deadly; I do not say that one is to pray for that. All wrongdoing is sin, but there is sin which is not deadly. We know that any one born of God does not sin, but he who was born of God keeps him, and the Evil One does not touch him. We know that we are of God, and the whole world is in the power of the Evil One. And we know that the Son of God has come and has given us understanding, to know him who is true; and we are in him who is true, in his Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God and eternal life. Little children, keep yourselves from idols.

The Word of the Lord.

RESPONSORIAL PSALM
Psalm 149: 1b – 6a, 9bc (R.) 4a

R/. The Lord takes delight in his people.
Or:
Alleluia.

Sing a new song to the Lord,
his praise in the assembly of the faithful.
Let Israel rejoice in its Maker;
let Sion’s children exult in their king. R/.

Let them praise his name with dancing,
and make music with timbrel and harp.
For the Lord takes delight in his people;
he crowns the poor with salvation. R/.

Let the faithful exult in glory,
and rejoice as they take their rest.
Let the praise of God be in their mouths.
This is an honour for all his faithful. R/.

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION.
Matthew 4: 16.

Alleluia. Alleluia.
The people who sat in darkness have seen a great light, and for those who sat in the region and shadow of death light has dawned.
Alleluia.

GOSPEL
JOHN 3: 22 – 30

At that time: Jesus and his disciples went into the land of Judea; there he remained with them and baptised. John also was baptising at Aenon near Salim, because there was much water there; and people came and were baptised. 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, baptising, 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.”

The Gospel of the Lord.

REFLECTION: The Guiding Principle of Your Life
January 8, 2022

“He must increase; I must decrease.” (John 3:30)

These powerful and prophetic words of St. John the Baptist should echo in our hearts every day. They help set the tone for all that we are and who we must become. What do these words mean? Clearly, there are two things that John says here: 1) Jesus must increase, 2) We must decrease.

First of all, Jesus increasing in our lives is the primary goal we must have. What exactly does this mean? It means that He takes greater possession of our mind and will. It means He possesses us and we possess Him. It means that our number one goal and desire in life is the fulfillment of His holy will in all things. It means that fear is cast aside and charity becomes our reason for living. It’s very freeing to allow the Lord to increase in our lives. It’s freeing in the sense that we no longer have to try and manage on our own. Jesus now lives in and through us.

Second, when John says that he must decrease, he means that his own will, desires, ambitions, hopes, etc., must dissolve as Jesus takes over. It means that all selfishness must be abandoned and selfless living must be the founding principle of our lives. To “decrease” before God means we become humble. Humility is a way of giving up everything not of God and allowing only God to shine through.

Reflect, today, upon this beautiful statement of St. John the Baptist. Make it a prayer and say it over and over. Let it become the guiding principle of your life.

PRAYER:
Lord, You must increase and I must decrease. Please come and take complete possession of my soul. Transform my mind and heart, guide my will, emotions and desires. And allow me to become a holy instrument of Your divine life. Jesus, I trust in You.