Beyond Myself, Towards Him
“For the Souls in Purgatory – Eternal rest grant unto them O Lord”
John 3:22-30
Then Jesus and his disciples went into the Judean countryside, where he spent some time with them and baptized. John was also baptizing in Aenon near Salim, because water was plentiful there, and people kept coming to him and being baptized. (For John had not yet been put into prison.) Now a discussion arose between two of John’s disciples and a Jew about ceremonial washings. 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 everyone is coming to him.” John answered and said, “No one can receive anything except what has been given him from heaven. You yourselves can testify that I said, ‘I am not the Messiah, but I was sent before him.’ The one who has the bride is the bridegroom; the best man, who stands and listens for him, rejoices greatly at the bridegroom’s voice. So this joy of mine has been made complete. He must increase; I must decrease.”
Grace Prayed For
The grace this passage prompts me to pray for is a radical humility. It’s the grace to desire less of myself and more of Christ in my life. It’s a prayer for the complete surrender of my ego and ambition, so that I can genuinely say, “He must increase; I must decrease,” not just with my lips, but with my whole heart. It’s the grace to find my greatest joy and fulfillment not in being the “Messiah” of my own life, but in being a humble servant who points others to Him.
Reflection
In this passage, we see John the Baptist, a man of immense purpose, living out his mission. He was a rockstar of his time—people flocked to him, seeking repentance and a fresh start. Yet, when his disciples come to him, concerned that Jesus is “stealing his thunder,” John’s response is one of radical humility and profound joy. He doesn’t see Jesus as a competitor; he sees Him as the Bridegroom, and himself as the “best man.” His purpose isn’t to be the center of attention but to point others to Christ. His joy isn’t diminished by Jesus’s growing popularity; it’s made complete.
This is the very essence of what it means for Jesus to call us beyond ourselves. It’s the call to let go of our own ego, our need for recognition, and our self-serving agendas. It’s the invitation to step out of the spotlight and turn our attention to the one who truly deserves it. Like John, our greatest joy isn’t found in what we can achieve for ourselves, but in what we can do for Christ. We are the “best men” and “bridesmaids” of the Bridegroom, and our mission is to make sure everyone knows He’s here.
This call draws us into a deeper intimacy with the Trinity. As we decrease, we make more space for the Father to mold us, for the Son to live through us, and for the Holy Spirit to guide us. Our lives become less about our own “ministry” and more about being a conduit for His love and grace. We’re not called to build our own kingdom but to partner with Jesus in restoring His. This isn’t a passive mission. It’s an active partnership where we are co-laborers, called to love with the very heart of Jesus.
The more we embrace this truth, the more we can take this message out into the world. In every encounter, we are called to be a living testament to Christ. Our lives become a whisper, “Look, there is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.” We are not the source of love, peace, or hope, but we can be the ones who point others to the ultimate Source.
Announcing Jesus in Our Lives
Ways to Evangelize in Daily Life
My baptismal mission is to partner with Jesus in restoring all of God’s creation. This doesn’t require me to be a full-time missionary in a far-off land. It means living out my faith in the ordinary moments of my day-to-day life.
With a Simple Smile: Sometimes, the most powerful form of evangelization is a simple act of genuine kindness. A smile, a held door, or a word of encouragement can be an unexpected expression of God’s love. These small gestures can be powerful seeds of the Gospel.
In Conversation: I can share a brief testimony of how Jesus has impacted my life, not in a preachy way, but by simply being honest about my struggles and how His love and grace have helped me. I can be a good listener, offering a compassionate ear and praying for those I encounter.
Through My Work: I can bring the love of Christ into my workplace by being a person of integrity, excellence, and kindness. By doing my work not for my own gain, but as an act of worship, I can show others what it means to live for something greater than myself.
In My Home: My home can be a domestic church, a place where I model forgiveness, patience, and unconditional love. By being a partner with Jesus in my relationships with my family, I can help restore love and peace to the very place where I am most known.
When Time Allows Reflect on the Posts in Library and Musings
Sharing
Jesus last words on Earth were to his disciples, can be found in Matthew Chap 28 when Jesus told his disciples, “Then Jesus approached and said to them, “All power in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, until the end of the age.”
Jesus calls all of us to share in his redemptive mission here on Earth. I would ask you to share this Scripture reflection with your family, your friends and your acquaintances, and then share it with a couple of individuals that you may may not be comfortable sharing with, keeping in mind always the words of Jesus, And behold, I am with you always, until the end of the age
Author was assisted by AI in the drafting of this Post