Scripture for Mass
Isaiah 49:3, 5-6
Psalm: 40(39):2, 4ab. 7-8a. 8b-9. 10. Response: 8a, 9a
1 Corinthians 1:1-3
John 1:29-34
In today’s world, self-promotion has become a popular pastime. Thanks to social media, anyone and everyone can tell the world about themselves: where they are, what they are doing, and who is accompanying them.
For the most part, however, we only share online personal information which will grab other people’s attention, enhance our public image, and increase the number of ‘friends’ or ‘visitors’ to our webpage. In short, our goal is to keep the world focussed on me, or rather on a carefully curated version of me.
What a sharp contrast to John the Baptist’s approach to life! Even though crowds of people came to hear him preach and be baptised, John remained clear – in his own heart and in public – that the goal of his endeavours was not to increase his fan base or his own fame but rather to prepare them for the coming of Christ.
Therefore, when Jesus came on the scene, John recognized him as the Son of God and placed the spotlight on him. Moreover, from then onwards, he rejoiced in giving greater prominence to Jesus while allowing himself to fade into the background.
Like John the Baptist, our vocation as Christians is not to draw others to ourselves, but rather to allow the Holy Spirit to draw others through us to Jesus. In contrast to popular belief, the more we focus our lives on Jesus and allow him to be centre stage, then the more out true self emerges and blossoms, bringing us genuine fulfilment and contentment.
Gracious God, you call us to witness by our lives to your boundless love for all people and the whole of creation.
Pour into our hearts once more an abundance of the gifts of the Holy Spirit so that we can live out that vocation with greater fidelity.
Open the eyes of our minds so that we can recognize and rejoice in the many signs of your love in the world around us.
Through Christ at work in our hearts, may we continue to grow in gratitude and praise for your goodness, mercy and forgiveness.
We ask this through the same Christ our Lord.
Amen.
Fr. Tim Mulroy
