The Lamb of God: Pointing out why Jesus makes a difference: Homily for Tuesday, January 3, 2023

Saint John the Baptist was a powerful preacher.  So powerful in fact that many wondered if he might be the Messiah. Some scholars suggest that this original belief is the reason why John the evangelist goes to some length to differentiate Saint John the Baptist from Jesus. Saint John the Baptist continues this differentiation in today's gospel. He is clear about his role, to baptize with water, to prepare the way for Jesus, and to make clear he is not the Messiah. And in doing so he even recognizes that his goal is to decrease so that Jesus can increase.