Homily Of Saturday After the Epiphany Of The Lord.
Ref:1John 5:14-21; John 3:22-30
By: Fr Felix Olátúnjí Yayi, C.S.Sp.
Dear friends in Christ as we wrap up this Christmas season, we are presented with a fascinating Gospel text this morning. I tried to imagine myself in John the Baptist’s shoes. What would I have done when I saw friends outdo me in what I’m doing? What would be my response to fans when another does much better and gains more popularity than I?
Unlike John, I may have acted the human way, but John understood what it means to have a missionary companion rather than competition. Sometimes, what we see in the world as competition could have been better seen as a companion; we cannot do it alone. Even if we do it alone, a time will come when we will leave it for others and return to where we came from.
John was neither envious of Jesus nor upset in any way, but was glad that his mission had been accomplished. How do we perceive our colleagues? Competition focuses on rivalry and how to outdo the other person but companionship focuses on building relationships based on trust, empathy and mutual respect.
We have a lot to emulate from John the Baptist, a man of humility. We pray for the grace to walk through this year with the spirit of companionship rather than competition.
Shalom.
