Second Sunday in Ordinary Time

John the Baptist saw Jesus coming toward him and said, “Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world. He is the one of whom I said, ‘A man is coming after me who ranks ahead of me because he existed before me.’ I did not know him, but the reason why I came baptizing with water was that he might be made known to Israel.”

The world tells us to strive to be on top, to be number one. But that is not the point of life. John realized this. His whole life was devoted to one thing: preparing the way of the Lord. His disciples would have made him into a false Messiah if he’d let them. He could have turned his back on his mission and choose to make himself number one. However, he didn’t because he realized the only way his life would be fulfilled was if he decreased so Jesus could increase. He recognized something greater than himself and placed his own pride aside and welcomed the coming of the Lord. In the same way, we are called to recognize the first place God should hold in our own lives. He should be the source, center, and summit of our lives. We should be willing to give up anything for Him. And like John, our lives should be a constant preparation for the Lord leading others and ourselves closer to God.

Have we given God first place in our lives? If not, then how can we put Him above all else? How do our lives make God known to others?

O Lord, you will always come first.

Amen.