Reflection of January 9, 2021: fulfilling only our role

"Rabbi, he who was with you beyond the Jordan, to whom you testified, here he is baptizing and everyone is coming to him". John 3:26

John the Baptist had amassed a good following. People kept coming to him to be baptized and many wanted his ministry to increase. However, once Jesus began his public ministry, some of John's followers became jealous. But John gave them the right answer. He explained to them that his life and mission was to prepare people for Jesus. Now that Jesus had begun His ministry, John joyfully said, “So this joy of mine has been completed. It must increase; I must decrease "(John 3: 29-30).

This humility of John is a great lesson, especially for those who are actively engaged in the apostolic mission of the Church. Too often when we are involved in an apostolate and another's "ministry" seems to grow faster than ours, jealousy can arise. But the key to understanding our role in the apostolic mission of the Church of Christ is that we must seek to fulfill our role and only our role. We must never see ourselves competing with others within the Church. We need to know when we need to act in accordance with God's will and we need to know when we need to step back and allow others to do God's will. We need to do God's will, nothing more, nothing less, and nothing else.

Furthermore, John's last statement must always resonate in our hearts when we are called to actively engage in the apostolate. “It must increase; I have to decrease. ”This is an ideal model for all who serve Christ and others within the Church.

Reflect, today, on those holy words of the Baptist. Apply them to your mission within your family, among your friends and especially if you are involved in some apostolic service within the Church. Everything you do must point to Christ. This will only happen if you, like St. John the Baptist, understand the unique role God has given you and embrace that role alone.

Lord, I give myself to you for your service and your glory. Use me as you want. As you use me, please give me the humility I need to always remember that I serve You and only Your will. Free me from jealousy and envy and help me rejoice in the many ways you act through others in my life. Jesus I believe in you.