If you can’t beat them, then join them.
That is what people will say when they know that they can’t win or get the upper hand against the competitor or the opposition.
Whatever we may think of it, it is a tactic of the world to prevent further losses, even if it means adopting the ways of the competitor or the opposition.
But it also means a compromise of principles, value and integrity.
The 1st reading begins with this question: Who can overcome the world?
Even without thinking too much about it, we all know what power and influence the world holds over us.
We see injustice, oppressing, discrimination happening and there is almost nothing we can do about it.
We may not join them, but we are also powerless to overcome these worldly practices.
In the gospel, after the baptism of Jesus, the heavens were torn open and the Spirit, like a dove, descended on Jesus.
Jesus opened heaven for us so we can look beyond the things of earth to the things of above.
When we keep our eyes on heaven, the Holy Spirit will descend upon us.
Then we will know that we are God’s beloved children, and with Jesus, we will then know how to overcome the world.