December 13, 2020
Third Sunday for Advent (Year B)
Readings for Today
Listen for English
“Na water I dey use baptize; but one person dey among una wey una no recognize, the one wey dey come after me, wey I no worthy to loose the strap of His sandal.” John 1:26–27
These words show true humility and wisdom. John the Baptist get plenty followers. Plenty people dey come meet am make e baptize dem, and more and more people dey know am. But as people dey know am, e no let am enter im head. Instead, e understand say im work na to prepare the way for “the one wey dey come.” E understand say e need to become less as Jesus begin His public ministry. So, with humble heart, e dey point other people to Jesus.
For this passage, na the Pharisees John dey talk to. E clear say dem dey envy am because plenty people dey follow am, and dem ask am who e be. Na the Christ e be? Or Elijah? Or the Prophet? John talk say e no be any of dem, and e describe imself as person wey no even worthy to loose the sandal straps of the one wey dey come after am. So, John see imself as “the one wey no worthy.”
But na this humble heart make John truly great. Greatness no dey come from lifting yourself up or promoting yourself. Na only by doing wetin God want person dey become great. And for John, wetin God want na make e baptize and point other people to the One wey dey come after am.
E still important to note say John tell the Pharisees say dem “no recognize” the one wey dey come after am. That one mean say people wey pride full their heart and wey dey see themselves as righteous no fit see the truth. Dem no fit see beyond themselves, and this one show say dem really lack wisdom.
Today, think deeply about how God dey call you to follow these good qualities of St. John the Baptist. You dey see your duty for life as something wey focus only on keeping your eyes on Christ and pointing other people to Him? With humble heart, you recognize say na Jesus must become greater, and you no be anything more than His servant wey no worthy? If you fit seek to do wetin God want with completely humble heart, you too go truly get wisdom. And just as e happen through John, plenty people go come know Christ because of your holy service.
Lord, make my heart truly humble. Make I know and believe with all my heart say I no worthy of the wonderful life of grace wey You don give me. But as I recognize this one with humble heart, give me the grace wey I need to serve You with all my heart, so that other people fit come know You through me. Jesus, na You I trust.
More Reflections on the Gospel
Reflection Dem about God im Mercy
Saint of the Day – Saint Lucy of Syracuse, Virgin and Martyr
Dem no dey celebrate am as liturgical memorial this year because e fall on Sunday
Image wey dey above: The Preaching of St John the Baptist wey Alessandro Allori paint
