Increase and Decrease

After this Jesus and his disciples went into the Judean countryside, and he spent some time there with them and baptized. John also was baptizing at Aenon near Salim because water was abundant there; and people kept coming and were being baptized—John, of course, had not yet been thrown into prison. Now a discussion about purification arose between John’s disciples and a Jew. 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 all are going to him.” John answered, “No one can receive anything except what has been given from heaven. You yourselves are my witnesses that I said, ‘I am not the Messiah, but I have been sent ahead of him.’ He who has the bride is the bridegroom. The friend of the bridegroom, who stands and hears him, rejoices greatly at the bridegroom’s voice. For this reason my joy has been fulfilled. He must increase, but I must decrease.” John 3:22-30

Gracious Creator of land and sea

you made the seasons for our needs

the sun and moon to be weak and strong

and our lives also in due seasons.

We are reluctant to step aside

to make room for others younger

to have other increase in our place

to move on with our lives in shadows.

Yet you gave up your life for us

and John stepped aside for you

teach us to understand your ways

help us to be servants of others.

Make us happy to step aside

sharing our wisdom with others

becoming teachers and servant

so that all might know your love. Amen.