Memorial
of Saint Basil the Great and Saint Gregory Nazianzen, bishops and doctors of
the Church
(I John 2:22-28; John 1: 19-28)
Some paintings of the crucifixion include John the
Baptist. “What is he doing there?” we
might ask, “Wasn’t he killed before Jesus?”
Of course, he was. But he is
pictured at the cross where his prophecy, made at the beginning of John’s
gospel, is realized. Jesus is the Lamb
of God whose sacrifice redeems the world. By all right he should increase all others must decrease in comparison
to him.
Today’s gospel forms the first part of that
prophecy. Little is said here of John
baptizing.
John, the evangelist, is not interested in Baptism here, but in the
Baptist’s testimony. In the first
century some considered John the long-awaited Messiah. The evangelist makes it clear that he is not and
that Jesus is greater than he.
People like to exaggerate their own importance. They talk about their accomplishments or use their
money to attract notice. John the
Baptist’s testimony helps us to know better.
As great as he was, he recognizes Jesus as greater. Jesus, not ourselves, is the one who deserves
everyone’s attention and honor.
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