He Must Increase

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

This is from an old copy of the The Anawim Way, the meditation book I read every morning: “The liturgical season of Christmas is coming to a close. Tomorrow is the last day of the Christmas season as we celebrate the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord. The Church in her wisdom has given us three weeks beginning on December 24 to focus on the light of Christ, who has come into the world on Christmas. We are COUNTER CULTURAL in that regard, because for the secular world, Christmas season ended on December 26. The Church follows a different calendar based on the life, death and resurrection of Our Lord, Jesus Christ. It is a blessing to be given time to ponder the mysteries of this season without being rushed. Each liturgical season offers us a unique grace that would be missed if we were to hurry through it and not take the time to pray and ponder the liturgy. The Christmas season has the grace of focusing on the Light that Christ brings into the darkness of the world and into our own hearts.” 

Yes, counter cultural! During the busy and hectic Christmas season, the Church invites us to slow down and ponder He who must increase in our lives. His influence on us must increase. Our dependence on Him must increase. Indeed, we should realize that we should strive (the Greek agonizai which means to agonize or take pains with) to be more and more like Him. Looking at myself, my idiosyncrasies and weaknesses, I think it is impossible. But when I look to Jesus, I know He makes the impossible possible.