“Sailing together with the Lord over the clean waters of humility and meekness!”

(Based on 1 John 5:14-21 and Jn 3:22-30 – Saturday after Epiphany)

Imagine a theatre on opening night.

The hall is packed.
The lights dim.
The curtain rises.
Behind the scenes is a stagehand.

(A stagehand is a person who works behind the scenes in a theatre, to manage the technical and physical aspects of a production.

He is responsible for ensuring that sets, lighting, sound, and props are ready for performances)

The stageman quietly goes about his work….
… adjusting lights, moving props, opening curtains etc.

Every scene runs perfectly…
The actors shine…
The story unfolds beautifully.

At no point does the stagehand step onto the stage.
He is unseen. He is unheard. He is unnoticed.
The final curtain falls.
The applause roars.

Afterward, one curious spectator approaches him and asks:
“All this time… you were here…
Why didn’t you come on stage?
Why didn’t you let people see you?”

The stagehand smiles and answers:
“If they see me, they will not see the story.

My work is not to be noticed…
… it is to let the story shine.”

This is so beautiful an example for our Christian living: Humility is working behind the scenes…
… so that Christ takes the spotlight!

This was the hallmark of the ministry of John the Baptist
He prepared the way.
He baptized.
He called people to repentance.

And then he stepped aside…
… so that Jesus alone could be seen as the Light.

The Gospel of the day invites and challenges us to ponder over this aspect…
… by presenting the dramatically humble personality of John the Baptist!

One of the most supreme and vital messages that we learn from the life of John the Baptist is Humility – a virtue in direct contrast to the dangerous vice of Pride!

This is what we learn from the life of St John the Baptist.

He sought not his own way, but the way of the One who sent him.
He wanted not his light to shine, but the Light of Him who sent him.

The Gospel of the day has a scene of a dispute arising.

John the Baptist, by his bold preaching and his radical life-style, had attracted many disciples.

Some of these disciples come and told John: “Rabbi, the One who was with you across the Jordan, to Whom you testified, here He is baptizing, and everyone is coming to Him” (Jn 3:26)

Think of the confusion of these disciples of John…

Their teacher who baptized, is now being overshadowed.

John had preached about repentance, had baptized and had pointed to the coming Messiah.

This should have been a time for John’s disciples to celebrate, now that Jesus was coming to the forefront!

But they forgot an important aspect of ministry…
… that we are doing all for HIM!

But John the Baptist remained unperturbed and undisturbed.

He stood firm…
… because his eyes were fixed on “the One greater than himself.”

He displayed an angelic countenance of humility!

As St Augustine says: “It was pride that changed angels into devils; it is humility that makes men as angels.”

Like a good coach, who drills discipline and restraint into “his men”…
… John tells his disciples: “Let’s get back to the basics!”

John reminds His disciples that He is only the friend of the bridegroom… (Jn 3:29)

“The friend of the bridegroom” was a term used in Jewish weddings of the time.
This friend would:

Stand by the bridegroom, assisting him in ceremonial preparations and serving as witness
Encouraging joy and overseeing the celebration
Standing as an advocate and protector

John reminds His disciples that his ministry is not of his own, but received from God!
… that He is not to take centre-stage, but only the One greater than him!
… that He was not to be the Messiah, but only the forerunner of the Messiah!

In our life, it is easy for us to lose our focus from the Lord and have a selfish preferences for ourselves…

In our works, we often forget the blessings that the Lord has showered on us…
… and instead tend to attribute all successes to our own talents and abilities.

In our ministry, we lose sight of the Lord, the
real purposes of our vocation and the mission…
… and instead seek to fulfil our personal agenda and motives.

It is easy to bask in the glory of popularity and fame…
… and to enjoy the sunshine of reputations and recognitions.

But let them never lead us to have a “self-centred” approach of just “looking into” ourselves.

Let us have the humility to accept that it is God’s power being manifested in our works…
… And it is by His Grace that we move forward every moment of our life

Yes, “drown” not in the murky waters of pride, egoism and selfishness…

Rather “sail” together with the Lord over the clean waters of humility and meekness!

God Bless! Live Jesus!