First Reading | 1 John 5:14-21
We cannot tolerate sin in our lives or those of others. Let us strive to get rid of sin in the world. However, we must act with love and respect for human dignity. This is not easy to do, but it is our calling. May we fulfill our duty to speak the truth in love to our brethren. Let us also listen to the truth they speak to us.
14 Beloved: We have this confidence in him that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. 15 And if we know that he hears us in regard to whatever we ask, we know that what we have asked him for is ours. 16 If anyone sees his brother sinning, if the sin is not deadly, he should pray to God and he will give him life. This is only for those whose sin is not deadly. There is such a thing as deadly sin, about which I do not say that you should pray. 17 All wrongdoing is sin, but there is sin that is not deadly. 18 We know that no one was begotten by God sins; but the one was begotten by God he protects, and the evil one cannot touch him. 19 We know that we belong to God, and the whole world is under the power of the Evil One. 20 We also know that the Son of God has come and has given us discernment to know the one who is true. And we are in the one who is true, in His Son Jesus Christ. He is the true God and eternal life. 21 Children, be on your guard against idols.
Responsorial Psalm | Psalm 149:1-2, 3-4, 5-6, 9
R: The Lord takes delight in his people.
1 Sing to the Lord a new song of praise in the assembly of the faithful. 2 Let Israel be glad in their maker, let the children of Zion rejoice in their king. (R) 3 Let them praise his name in the festive dance, let them sing praise to him with timbrel and harp. 4 For the Lord loves his people, and he adorns the lowly with victory. (R) 5 Let the faithful exult in glory; let them sing for joy upon their couches; 6 let the high praises of God be in their throats. 9 This is the glory of all his faithful. Alleluia. (R)
Gospel | John 3:22-30
Let us meditate on St. John the Baptist’s words: “He (Jesus) must increase; I must decrease.” If our choices in life are aligned with this, then we will become holy. Living this truth is perhaps the shortest way to sainthood, but it is also the longest route in overcoming one’s pride, which is a more difficult task we face as disciples of Jesus.
Gospel Acclamation
The people who sit in darkness have seen a great light, on those dwelling in a land overshadowed by death light has arisen.
22 Jesus and his disciples went into the region of Judea, where he spent some time with them baptizing. 23 John was also baptizing in Aenon near Salim, because there was an abundance of water there, and people came to be baptized, 24 for John had not yet been imprisoned. 25 Now a dispute arose between the disciples of John and a Jew about ceremonial washings. 26 So 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.” 27 John answered and said, “No one can receive anything except what has been given him from heaven. 28 You yourselves can testify that I said that I am not the Christ, but that I was sent before him. 29 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. 30 He must increase; I must decrease.”
