Posted by The WORD in other words (2023) by Fr. Patricio delos Reyes, SVD — HNU, Tagbilaran City, Bohol
January 6 / Before Epiphany
When he confidently declared that he is the chosen son of God, a local religious character showed more of his arrogance and lies. Of course, he would say anything to make him more believable, especially to his followers.
In the Gospel, a voice from the heavens proclaims Jesus as the beloved Son of God and that God the Father is well pleased with him. It was the Father proclaiming Jesus as God’s beloved Son, not Jesus himself. What I see is the humility of God the Son – the humility of Jesus. But the humble one is proclaimed by John the Baptist as “One mightier than I am.”
We Christians could claim to be witnesses to the coming of the Mighty One. In the process we need to be aware of who we are, like John who claimed, “I am not worthy to stoop and loosen the thongs of his sandals.”
I need to assume the humble position of unworthiness in the presence of the Mighty One. Also, it means I must avoid making myself the center in my witnessing, preaching, and sharing my experience of God. Jesus, the beloved Son of God, must always be the center of everything I do and say.
I can only be confident that I am given the privilege of proclaiming the beloved Son of God. Whether I spend my time in contemplation or reaching out to the people I serve, it should always be Jesus Christ, the beloved Son of God, who ought to be the center of it all.
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