Saturday, January 11, 2020 — the week after the Epiphany — Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint John 3, 22-30 — The people who live in the dark saw a great light, For those who lived in the land and the shadow of death, a light has risen up.
Although John was sent before Christ to prepare the people to welcome him, he never considered himself superior to Christ. Although he baptized before Christ, he never sought to go against him. He did not behave like a competitor: he preceded the way of Christ with humility, truth and simplicity. "I am not Christ, but I have been sent before Him", he said. "He must increase; I must decrease. "
John shows us a virtue to take as an example. In the face of the success of those whom we might think are our competitors in life, the dignified attitude is to rejoice in it, not to be jealous or competitive. There was no adversity between John the Baptist and Jesus, although they were both baptized.
This virtue is imperative for those who truly want to proclaim the gospel.