John the Baptist seems to have been an eloquent preacher: he touched many people's lives and moved their hearts to repentance. For us Christians, one of his most enlightening and inspiring sayings occurs at the end of today's Gospel passage: "He must increase, while I must decrease". John was not "putting himself down" by these words. They were not a negative evaluation of himself, much less any kind of self-rejection. Rather, it was in the context of happiness that he spoke these words. Indeed, since he speaks of bride and bridegroom, it is precisely in the context of covenantal love that he recognizes his real relationship with Jesus and the joy that must inevitably spring from that relationship. In our spiritual lives, his words take on a special relevance. If we are to be truly happy, with that happiness which God desires for us, our selfishness must decrease and our lives must become more Christ-centred. In all that is important for our lives, Jesus must increase while we must decrease. Again using the words of John, we can be sure that this gift of an intimate joyful relationship with Jesus will be "given from on high".