TO JOYFULLY DECREASE
“The people who sit in darkness have seen a great light, on those dwelling in a land overshadowed by death light has arisen.”
We are in a very challenging, stressful, and painful time in this country. Last year wasn’t easy, and the first week of this year has already been riddled with ups and downs. On Monday, I shared with a few of my friends that I already felt like I was failing— and the year had just begun. It definitely feels like we are in the dark, holding our breath, overcome by grief or trauma, hoping and waiting for light.
In today’s Gospel reading, Jesus is the light and hope that John the Baptist made way for. “He must increase; I must decrease,” John said. I’ve been reflecting on those words this week, and the thought of “joyfully decreasing.” In quarantine and with social media culture encouraging us to just focus on our own wants/needs and making ourselves more marketable, perhaps the art of “joyfully decreasing” has become a little further to grasp.
To truly love others, however, mustn’t we all decrease to some degree? Perhaps we can listen more rather than do all the talking. Perhaps we can protect others’ time and space instead of claiming it all as our own. Perhaps we can celebrate others’ victories without making it about ourselves. We can be curious about each other again rather than act as if we know everything about those we tend to speak about judgmentally. And perhaps we can do it all with joy— with the purpose of taking delight in all the God-given gifts we are called to cherish in one another.
I really admire that about John the Baptist, as he meets his disciples’ concern with comforting words and joy that Jesus is here. John also joyfully decreases without self-depreciation. He celebrates Jesus’ coming and acknowledges who Jesus is. Joyfully decreasing doesn’t mean that we are somehow worth less or that our work is less valuable, but that there are others whose God-given gifts are also worthy and to be cherished. Perhaps that is the Light we can be reminded of this year— that we still can find much to celebrate in one another, that we are loved, and we have the capacity to meet each other joyfully, if we take the opportunity.
How can I find greater connection, community, and healing through “joyfully decreasing”?
Krystelle Robeniol
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