Daily Gospel Reflection
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January 11, 2025
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.”
Typology—one of my favorite theological concepts—is the idea that there are people, events, or places in the Old Testament that foreshadow or point to people or events in the New Testament. Typology does not negate the original meaning; rather, it recognizes its significance on its own and sees the fulfillment of its meaning in the New Testament.
My first-year high school students find this concept engaging and interesting. As we read through the Old Testament, we discuss together the different types throughout the narratives. My students are particularly excited when they find a type for Christ. For example, in the story of Passover, the lamb is a type for Christ.
This concept of typology always makes me think of John the Baptist, for, although a New Testament figure, he was constantly pointing toward Christ. The entirety of his mission was to prepare the way for Jesus. John did not do it for his own fame or glory or even to get a little bit of credit for it. When his followers ask him if he is upset that Jesus has started baptizing in the region, John responds with the utmost amount of humility, “He must increase, I must decrease,” but also with a bold proclamation of joy at the fact that John’s mission is now complete.
Teaching about typology and reflecting on this gospel passage, I am reminded that my job is not only to teach about seeing Jesus in Scripture but also to live in a way that points to Christ constantly. Our job as Christians is to be like John the Baptist, patiently, hopefully, and faithfully living in a way that invites others to come to see and know Jesus.
Prayer
Loving God, send us your Spirit so we may recognize your works. Enable us to hear and see your Son and our Brother Jesus in our daily encounters in school, home, workplace and everywhere. Help us to be like John the Baptist as we proclaim, “He must increase; I must decrease.” Amen.
Saint of the Day
St. Hyginus, like many of the early popes, was martyred during a Roman persecution. Accordingly, many of the early popes, like Hyginus, were honored as saints.
Not much is recorded in historical documents about Hyginus' biographical details, other than that he was born in Greece. The diocese (and city) of Rome, as the center of the empire, drew many different people from the corners of the empire and was subsequently a very diverse place. Many of these earliest popes reflected this diversity—a sharp distinction from the medieval popes who were nearly uniformly of Italian descent.
History (or legend) credits Hyginus with two important ecclesial developments. One of the ancient sources that contain the bulk of our surviving information about the early popes, the Liber Pontificalis (literally, "The Book of the Popes"), credits Hyginus for organizing the current structure of the Roman Hierarchy—distinguishing the orders of deacon, presbyter (or priest), and bishop. The Liber Pontificalis also claims Hyginus established the practice of Christian churches becoming formally consecrated in order to be valid spaces of worship. During the first centuries of Christianity, Christians began to have their liturgies at martyria, which are churches established above the tomb of a martyr. Hyginus was apparently responsible for creating the process of turning an ad hoc local shrine into an approved worship space.
Legend has it that Hyginus was martyred in the year 142, but the story of his martyrdom was never written down. He was buried on Vatican Hill, near the tomb of St. Peter, and his feast has been celebrated on January 11, traditionally believed to be the date of his death.
Today's image of St. Hyginus comes from the Basilica of St. Paul Outside the Walls in Rome.
Pope St. Hyginus, martyr for the faith and faithful shepherd of your flock—pray for us!
Image Credit: Our featured image of St. Hyginus is in the public domain. Last accessed November 14, 2024 on Wikimedia Commons.
