I must Decrease – Reflection on John 3:22-30
“He must increase; I must decrease.” Saint John boldly proclaims one of the most essential human attribute phrases in all scripture. Concentrate on what “I must decrease” really means. Do you have wants that you desire, or are you satisfied with what you need? Does your time, talent, or prayers include giving yourself to others without expecting a returning favor? In any relationship, doesn’t the strength come from letting each other in? To do so, doesn’t that require us to take time and room in our thoughts for the other person instead of thinking about ourselves? Lastly, if you are working towards incrementally decreasing your needs and pleasures to let Jesus within surface and increase, does the process feel forced or joyful?
Saint John the Baptist and the Pharisees by James Tissot (full resolution image of painting).
More details are available on the Brooklyn Museum website.
Additional Ordinary Time Reflections
John 3:22-30
Jesus and John the Baptist
22 After this Jesus and his disciples went into the Judean countryside, and he spent some time there with them and baptized. 23 John also was baptizing at Aenon near Salim because water was abundant there; and people kept coming and were being baptized 24 —John, of course, had not yet been thrown into prison.
25 Now a discussion about purification arose between John’s disciples and a Jew. 26 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 all are going to him.” 27 John answered, “No one can receive anything except what has been given from heaven. 28 You yourselves are my witnesses that I said, ‘I am not the Messiah, but I have been sent ahead of him.’ 29 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. For this reason my joy has been fulfilled. 30 He must increase, but I must decrease.”
Additional Thoughts
Thank you for meditating on this Gospel and reading this Lectio Divina on John 3:22-30 Reflection – I must Decrease.
Would you like to contribute related thoughts to these Lectio reflections on the Gospel readings? Since Lectio is not the only contemplative prayer style, others might appreciate your expressions in this ministry. Do you see God’s grandeur everywhere and unconditionally enjoy sharing the love of Christ that you have inside? Are you willing to be anonymous in what you would share? If so, email me.
Prayer for young families:
Lord, let our communities’ young families experience your joy, peace, comfort, and love despite worldly distractions. Amen
Attributions
* This site has written permission to use the New Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition (NRSVCE) Bible for the passage of John 3.
The Immersive Prayer website follows the guidelines for image web use at the Brooklyn Museum and the Jewish Museum websites.
Primary Lectio Divina word or phrase: I must Decrease.
Page and discussion group on these Lectio Divina daily Gospel Readings.
Discussion group on St. John of the Cross.