The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today invite us to surrender and celebrate our role as “shoshben”, a trusted friend of the Bridegroom, humbly preparing our environment to welcome Him.
The Reading from the First Letter of John is a Prayer for Sinners.
* [5:13–21] As children of God we have confidence in prayer because of our intimate relationship with him (1 Jn 5:14–15). In love, we pray (1 Jn 5:16–17) for those who are in sin, but not in deadly sin (literally, “sin unto death”), probably referring to apostasy or activities brought on under the antichrist; cf. Mk 3:29; Heb 6:4–6; 10:26–31. Even in the latter case, however, prayer, while not enjoined, is not forbidden. The letter concludes with a summary of the themes of the letter (1 Jn 5:18–20). There is a sharp antithesis between the children of God and those belonging to the world and to the evil one. The Son reveals the God of truth; Christians dwell in the true God, in his Son, and have eternal life. The final verse (1 Jn 5:21) voices a perennial warning about idols, any type of rival to God. (1 John, CHAPTER 5 | USCCB, n.d.)
Psalm 149 invites the people of Israel to celebrate their God in song and festive dance.
* [Psalm 149] A hymn inviting the people of Israel to celebrate their God in song and festive dance (Ps 149:1–3, 5) because God has chosen them and given them victory (Ps 149:4). The exodus and conquest are the defining acts of Israel; the people must be ready to do again those acts in the future at the divine command (Ps 149:6–9).
* [149:3] Make music with tambourine and lyre: the verse recalls the great exodus hymn of Ex 15:20.
* [149:5] On their couches: the people reclined to banquet.
* [149:9] The glory: what brings honor to the people is their readiness to carry out the divine will, here conceived as punishing injustice done by the nations. (Psalms, PSALM 149 | USCCB, n.d.)
The Gospel of John presents the Final Witness of the Baptist.
* [3:22–26] Jesus’ ministry in Judea is only loosely connected with Jn 2:13–3:21; cf. Jn 1:19–36. Perhaps John the Baptist’s further testimony was transposed here to give meaning to “water” in Jn 3:5. Jesus is depicted as baptizing (Jn 3:22); contrast Jn 4:2.
* [3:23] Aenon near Salim: site uncertain, either in the upper Jordan valley or in Samaria.
* [3:24] A remark probably intended to avoid objections based on a chronology like that of the synoptics (Mt 4:12; Mk 1:14).
* [3:25] A Jew: some think Jesus is meant. Many manuscripts read “Jews.”
* [3:29] The best man: literally, “the friend of the groom,” the shoshben of Jewish tradition, who arranged the wedding. Competition between him and the groom would be unthinkable. (John, CHAPTER 3 | USCCB, n.d.)
Nancy Shirley shares her very real opportunity to put others ahead of herself. She reflects on how Jesus can increase.
How can my presence here be evidence of that – as I sit with her in the hospital how do I become the hands and feet of Jesus?
Many reading this do that every day as they care for loved ones or in occupations that allow that interaction with others. I have been blessed as a nurse to have a career in serving others. As I age, I realize that these opportunities are not only a blessing for me directly, but the chance to show others Jesus and the wondrous Gift that He is. I remember one of the early songs post-Vatican II – “They will know we are Christians by our Love” – perhaps that is part of the Gift for me this year – decreasing!!! Decreasing ego and self-importance with a focus on the care of others. Sharing the gifts that have been bestowed on me to lessen the burden on others. More of Jesus, less of me.
This Zach Williams song captures this so beautifully, Less like Me (Shirley, 2026)
Don Schwager quotes “Christ is the husband of the church his bride,” by Ambrose of Milan, 339-397 A.D.
"This means he alone is the husband of the church (John 3:29), he is the expectation of the nations, and the prophets removed their sandals while offering to him a union of nuptial grace. He is the bridegroom; I am the friend of the bridegroom. I rejoice because he is coming, because I hear the nuptial chant, because now we do not hear the harsh penalties for sinners, the harsh torments of the law, but the forgiveness of offenses, the cry of joy, the sound of cheerfulness, the rejoicing of the nuptial feast." (excerpt from ON THE PATRIARCHS 4.22) (Schwager, n.d.)
The Word Among Us Meditation on John 3:22-30 notes that John compared himself to the Jewish “shoshben”, or the “best man” at a wedding (John 3:29). In ancient Hebrew tradition, the “shoshben” was a trusted friend of the bridegroom who made most of the arrangements for the wedding celebration. And when Jesus finally did arrive, he happily “decreased” in humility and let Jesus become the rightful center of Israel’s attention (John 3:30).
You, too, are part of the bride of Christ. So let John, the best man, help you welcome Jesus as well. Accept his call to repentance. Keep your eyes open for Jesus’ coming to you. And pray that you will know the joy that filled John’s heart—the joy of hearing the voice of the bridegroom every day.
“Jesus, help me to welcome you today.” (Meditation on John 3:22-30, n.d.)
Friar Jude Winkler comments that the last chapter 1 John concludes whatever we ask with confidence we will receive. This is not transactional but relational as a brother giving what we truly need not necessarily what we want. The author of 1 John presents an ambiguous message on sin and sinners. In theory we won’t sin, but we will sin and we need to pick up and go to Christ. The mortal sin that indicates denial of Jesus and God is offered as we belong to the evil one in a very dualistic light or dark, goodness or sin description Jesus. The Gospel of John presents Jesus baptizing on the other side of the Jordan in remission of sin and anointing with the Gift of the Spirit. The Baptist self describes as the bridegroom in an allusion to Jeremiah about the voice of the bride or bridegroom. Jeremiah points to a New Covenant. Jesus is the Bridegroom who is to marry Israel. The “next of kin” who is marrying the Church. “He must increase and I must decrease” as Jesus would bear the children of the Church with His name Christian.
Father Richard Rohr introduces CAC staff member Drew Jackson offers this commentary from the “back pew”.
“Their good news ain’t never been heard like that around here. What’s good for them sounds like hell in my ear. You hear them cheerin? Four more years of their man. You know what that means for us? Nothin changin. Same ol same ol. Domination. Brutality. Low salary. We know what they mean when they say law and order. I heard that man Tutu said that good news to a hungry person is bread. What about if I’m just straight broke? I need that bread. And then preacher man gonna stand up here and tell us to wait until the sweet by and by. That’s what he says all the time. I’m tired of this. We need something different. But different ain’t never gonna come as long as we live under them. With their foot on our necks. I don’t even know why I keep coming. I mean, I guess it’s good to show face in this small town, but I’m not buyin what they’re sellin. If I’m honest, though, I think I’m still hoping to snatch some kind of good news up in this place. That’s why I sit here in the back. Only news they’ve got for me out there is some garbage about some bootstraps. Truth is, if it ain’t good for us, it ain’t good for no one. I need to hear some news that’s good from the bottom up.” (Rohr, n.d.)
We contemplate the occasions on our journey when the “shoshben” in our life made things better and petition the Spirit to guide our actions to respond to the needs of others.
References
John, CHAPTER 3 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved January 10, 2026, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/john/3?22
Meditation on John 3:22-30. (n.d.). Word Among Us. Retrieved January 10, 2026, from https://wau.org/meditations/2026/01/10/1477452/
1 John, CHAPTER 5 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved January 10, 2026, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/1john/5?14
Psalms, PSALM 149 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved January 10, 2026, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/149?1
Rohr, R. (n.d.). Good News for a Fractured World. Center for Action and Contemplation. Retrieved January 10, 2026, from https://cac.org/daily-meditations/good-news-for-a-fractured-world-weekly-summary/
Schwager, D. (n.d.). This Joy of Mine Is Now Full. Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations – Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved January 10, 2026, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/
Shirley, N. (2026, January 10). Daily Reflection January 10, 2026 | Creighton Online Ministries. Creighton Online Ministries. Retrieved January 10, 2026, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/daily-reflections/daily-reflection-january-10-2026
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