"I" ALWAYS COMES FIRST BEFORE "U"

a personal reflection on Luke 3:15-16,21-22

Mali po. Sa alphabet applicable yan, but for people it should not. Pero ang mundo natin masyadong self-centric. It's always about "ME", "I" or "MINE". This makes us think we are superior than others. The Gospel today teaches us the opposite. It's all about humility. It's all about not thinking that you are better than others.

• John the Baptist corrected the people when they thought he was the Christ. "I baptize you with water; but he who is mightier than I is coming, the thong of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie; he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire" (Luke 3:16).
• Jesus did not need to be baptized but "when all the people were baptized" then "Jesus also had been baptized" (Luke 3:21). The baptism of Jesus was not for His own benefit, but meant for ours. Maybe Jesus wants to show us what humility is all about.

Humility is so hard to find nowadays. But humility allows us to love others more. So instead of following what the world teaches, practice what John the Baptist & Jesus does. If you want more examples look at the lives of Mahatma Gandhi, Mother Teresa & Pope Francis. They prioritized others, especially those who had less. Their actions preached the concept of "the last will be first, and the first last." (Matthew 20:16). That's how we should live or lives!

Being humble is not a weakness. It's about knowing that we are all equal in the eyes of God. May we always think about others first before we worry about our own concerns. - alvinfabella@yahoo.com