He Must Increase. I Must Decrease.

Gospel Reflection for Wednesday, June 24th, 2026: Solemnity of St. John the Baptist

“Now the time came for Elizabeth to be delivered, and she gave birth to a son. And her neighbors and kinsfolk heard that the Lord had shown great mercy to her, and they rejoiced with her…And all these things were talked about through all the hill country of Judea, and all who heard them laid them up in their hearts, saying, ‘What then will this child be?’ For the hand of the Lord was with him…And the child grew and became strong in spirit, and he was in the wilderness till the day of his manifestation to Israel.” Luke 1:57-58; 65-66; 80.

Today, the Church celebrates the Solemnity of St. John the Baptist. There is much that can be said about this great Saint who was the Forerunner to the Messiah as well as a Martyr for the sanctity of Marriage. Many who encountered him believed that he was the Messiah, which ought to point out to us the immense sanctity that he possessed. Our Blessed Lord even says of him, “Truly, I say to you, among those born of women there has arisen no one greater than John the Baptist…”¹ These are heavy words spoken by Our Blessed Lord. Of all of the patriarchs, kings, prophets, etc. who had come before, no one was greater than John.

But where was the greatness of John to be found? Was it in his preaching? Did he perform miracles? Did he have many followers? Was it in his condemnation of the hypocrisy of the Pharisees? Was it in his unwavering dedication to marriage?

Certainly, all of these things are great. But the greatness that John did throughout his life and, especially, leading up to his glorious martyrdom, is founded in the greatness of one thing: his humility.

“As the people were in expectation, and all men questioned in their hearts concerning John, whether perhaps he were the Christ, John answered them all, ‘I baptize you with water; but he who is mightier than I is coming, the thong of whose sandals I am unworthy to untie, he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with Fire.” Luke 3:15-16.

And most especially:

“He must increase, but I must decrease.” John 3:30.

John’s actions are worthy of much praise. As St. Luke tells us in the Gospel today, the hand of the Lord was upon him. Greatness was certainly to follow. Ultimately, though, the greatness of John the Baptist lay in his understanding of his position before Christ. He did not seek power or prestige for himself. He did not cater to the people’s expectation that he was the Messiah. He did not hold himself in high regard.

He considered himself unworthy. He sought his own decrease so that Christ could increase. It is in this desire that the devout soul ought to approach the majesty of Christ.

He must increase.

I must decrease.

His will for my life must increase. My will in my life must decrease.

His love in my actions must increase. My selfishness must decrease.

His compassion for neighbor in my disposition must increase. My biases towards others must decrease.

His sacrificial nature must increase in me. My complaining about my crosses must decrease.

His humility of heart must increase in me. My pride of life must decrease.

When we allow ourselves to be brought low in humility, the greatness of what is to come shines forth. When Our Lord said that there is no greater than John, He finished that statement with a very important addition:

“Truly, I say to you, among those born of women there has arisen no one greater than John the Baptist; yet he who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.” Matthew 11:11.

Humility is the root of the interior life. Humility is the key to the kingdom of Heaven. Only those who allow themselves to decrease in this life can increase in the world to come.

For more from Dr. McGovern, visit his Substack at A Thomist, Dedicated to the Theological tradition of St. Thomas Aquinas. Exploring Thomas’ Spiritual Theology and topics in Christology and Mariology.

1. Matthew 11:11.