He must increase; I must decrease

 

"He must increase; I must decrease." (John 3:30)

Today we have a guest blogger from Arlene B. Muller. Arlene B. Muller, OSF, is a Professed Secular Franciscan, lector & Extraordinary Minister at St. Pancras Church, Member of St. Margaret's Choir, and Itinerant Speech/language Therapist.

Today, August 29, the Church commemorates the martyrdom of St. John the Baptist. John the Baptist, who courageously reprimanded King Herod for Herod's taking his brother's wife, incurred the queen's wrath, and the queen took advantage of Herod's drunkenness, lust, and desire for the respect of his guests to get her daughter to be the persuasive force behind Herod's reluctant acquiescence to behead the courageous martyr who pierced his conscience.

On the surface it would appear that Christians living in middle class America in the 21st century would have nothing in common with the ascetic prophet and martyr John the Baptist. Certainly his lifestyle is in sharp contrast with mine. He lived outdoors in the desert, while I live in a comfortable apartment. He ate locusts and wild honey, neither of which appeal to me at all, while I enjoy meals at diners and restaurants and nonfat green tea lattes. His clothing was rough and minimalist, providing little else but modesty and protection from the elements, while I shop in catalogs for reasonably priced, modest, comfortable & color-coordinated clothing.

But in reading in Saint of the Day their description of John the Baptist's efforts to fulfill his calling--the calling the LORD gave him to point others not to himself but to the LORD JESUS CHRIST--I felt the same tug at my heart that I have felt in praying the words of the CANTICLE OF ZECHARIAH: "You, my child, shall be called the prophet of the Most High; for you will go before the LORD to prepare His way, to give His people knowledge of salvation by the forgiveness of their sins. ." (See Luke 1:68-79).

Although our lifestyles and the circumstances of our lives may be in sharp contrast to those of the ascetic prophet and martyr John the Baptist, there is a similarity in our calling. As Christians filled with the Holy Spirit we are all called to be witnesses for the LORD JESUS CHRIST in whatever environment, occupation, vocation and station in life to which the LORD has brought us. Although we don't go before the LORD historically, as St. John did, we should always be ready to "prepare His way" and to be one of the people the LORD uses to draw others to Himself in our homes, workplaces, schools, marketplaces and even public transportation by the way we live our lives, 

relate to others and in our words, both indirectly and sometimes directly. In the words attributed to St. Francis of Assisi, we are called to "Preach the Gospel always and, when necessary, use words".

The challenge for us Christians in middle class America in the 21st century that St. John the Baptist presents to us, perhaps even more than in any other time in history, is not necessarily to adopt his lifestyle of radical asceticism (although a few may share that calling) but, at least for me (a woman who likes affirmation, approval and positive attention) to try to emulate his selfless humility and to be reminded and to acknowledge that WE are NOT the center of the universe but our TRIUNE GOD IS, ESPECIALLY IN THE PERSON OF JESUS CHRIST.  As we strive to do good and to try to live out God's will and calling on our lives, let us remember that what we do is NOT for the purpose of pointing to ourselves, but to be like St. John the Baptist in pointing to JESUS CHRIST, our LORD and SAVIOR. May we always be inspired and challenged by the confession of St. John the Baptist: "He must increase; I must decrease." (John 3:30).

My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord; my spirit rejoices in God my Savior!

 

Every year on August 15^th the Church commemorates the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary into heaven. In the Eastern Church this feast is called the Dormition (falling asleep) of Theotokos (Mother of God).

The Catholic Church teaches as dogma that the Virgin Mary “having completed the course of her earthly life, was assumed body and soul into heavenly glory.” This was declared as dogma by Pope Pius XII on November 1^st, 1950. Since it was declared as dogma, we, as Catholics, are required to believe this as a truth revealed by God.

As Lay Carmelites we turn to Mary as our mother and sister. We are called to live out our lives in imitation of how she lived out her life. She was always open to doing the Holy Will of God.
In the Gospel of St. Luke, we hear of the angel Gabriel approaching Mary and telling her that she will be the Mother of the Messiah. Since she was not yet married, and as yet had not any marital relations, she was confused as to how this will happen. Gabriel’s response was, “Behold, you will conceive inyour womb and bear a son, and you shall name him Jesus. He will be great andwill be called Son of the Most High” (Luke 1:31-32). Her response, after being explained that the Holy Spirit will descend upon her, was her fiat (yes): “Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord. May it be done to me according to your word.” (Luke 1:38) Mary was open to God’s will, even if this would mean problems or difficulties in her life. She fully accepted God’s Will, with all it’s challenges in following it.

Then, after learning that her elderly cousin, Elizabeth, was pregnant with John the Baptist, she went to give her help and support to Elizabeth. Once Elizabeth said, “…how does this happen to me,that the mother of my Lord should come to me?” (Luke 1:43), Mary responded with the beautiful Magnificat, “My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord; my spiritrejoices in God my savior…” (Luke 1:46-47)

Mary’s whole life was that of being open to the will of God through contemplation, and then taking what she heard brought it to others. We can learn from Our Lady. Through praying and mediating daily on the Liturgy of the Hours, and by attending Mass Sunday (and if possible daily), we can bring what we hear through scripture to those in our lives.

Let us daily pray, “My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord.”