Jesus and his disciples went into the region of Judea, where he spent some time with them baptizing. John was also baptizing in Aenon near Salim, because there was an abundance of water there, and people came to be baptized, for John had not yet been imprisoned. Now a dispute arose between the disciples of John and a Jew about ceremonial washings. 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.” John answered and said, “No one can receive anything except what has been given from heaven. You yourselves can testify that I said that I am not the Christ, but that I was sent before him. 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. He must increase; I must decrease.”
REFLECTION
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.
In the time of Jesus, the friend of the bridegroom or Shoshben was a key figure like the best man nowadays. In the time of Jesus, however, the friend of the bridegroom was responsible for negotiating the marriage, making arrangements, communicating between parties, and preparing the wedding feast.
Nowadays, the best man gives the stipend to the priest, plans the bachelor party, supports emotionally the groom, manages the rings, coordinates the tuxedos of the groomsmen attire, gives the toast at the reception, assists the groom ,and is the "inbetween" person if the bride and groom want to send messages. .
John the Baptist identified himself as the Shosben, preparing the way for Jesus (the Bridegroom). He rejoices to present Jesus to the people, pointing to Christ, not himself. Upon hearing His voice, John the Baptist rejoice, because at last, Jesus, the Bridegroom, is walking among them. The Church will be His Bride.
John knows he is not the Messiah, not the source of grace, not the bridegroom. His joy is complete not when he is praised, but when Christ is known.
With humility we approach God knowing who He is and with this knowledge spread the Good News of His Divinity.
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