Daily Gospel Reflection for January 8, 2022

Join us as we reflect, ponder, and pray together inspired by today's Gospel.

Today's Gospel: John 3:22-30

A few years ago our church welcomed the ACTS Ministry to our parish. During development, I noticed how the retreat team’s preparation prioritized spiritual development over the necessary administrative tasks. Throughout the teaming process, members were reminded that this retreat was not about us. We were simply stagehands in the wings, setting the stage for God to personally encounter each retreatant. Each team prayer included today’s Gospel message, “He must increase; I must decrease.”

Every robust parish depends on people who volunteer their time and talent to produce the ministries that invite church members closer to God. Whether we serve as a greeter, usher, catechist, choir member, or on a retreat team, we work for Christ and must prepare ourselves spiritually to be able to serve with joy.

“He must increase; I must decrease.”

Like John the Baptist’s followers, it would be easy to feel a touch of ownership when you’re volunteering within your parish. However, when we consciously put Christ first, we allow Him to bring an abundance of water for those in most need. Humbly serving without seeking personal attention or accolades reveals to us the radiant pleasure of representing Christ’s love with a full heart.

Once we become more aware of spiritually allowing Christ to increase in how we approach our parish service, we must turn our attention to the other areas of our daily life. How do we spiritually approach our duties in the workplace, at home with the family, or our participation in social media online?

Today, invite Christ to increase and allow you to decrease. Put Him first and allow Him to work through your humility. Serve Him with Confidence in all you do.

Ponder:

Prayerfully reflect on areas where you need to let God increase, and you decrease, in your daily life.

Pray:

Lord, let me decrease so You may increase. May I always put You first in my daily work and service.

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Humbly serving without seeking personal attention or accolades reveals to us the radiant pleasure of representing Christ’s love with a full heart. #dailygospel

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