Reflections
for Sunday, January 20, 2013
We have this wonderful interchange between Jesus and Mary in the Gospel
today. We continue the Baptism of the Lord and now are in Ordinary Time.
The readings of Ordinary Time always bring us close to the Lord in his
humanity if we listen attentively. Knowing Jesus in His humanity draws us
to His divinity.
The Wedding Feast of Cana gives us the first of the signs which reveal His
glory. That means that if we pay attention we shall see the divinity
shining through Christ's humanity. This is another Epiphany, a
manifestation of the divine.
The reading from the Prophet Isaiah today tells us that God cannot be
silent any longer. God loves His bride, the Church, the people redeemed by
His Son. God wants to rejoice in His people and wants His people to
rejoice in Him. It is true that most of us have not seen a miracle such as
this one. It is just as true that there are miracles as great as this
happening even in our own day.
The miracle is not just changing water into wine, the miracle is also that
Jesus helps others. The water into wine miracle just is the way that Jesus
helps in this situation. The miracle is impressive, so also is the help to
the newly married couple and their families.
Jesus is always willing to help, even when a miracle is not required. Am I
willing to help others when they need me? Am I willing to give my time and
my energy to helping others when it has no benefit for me?
The First Letter to the Corinthians, from which the second reading is taken
today, continues this same message. Each of us has gifts and we are to use
them to build up the body of Christ, to benefit others. Perhaps we think
that our gifts are negligible. Perhaps we think that others have better or
more important gifts than ours. That does not matter, whatever we are
given, we given to use for others.
Today as we remember the Wedding Feast of Cana and the first of the great
signs of Jesus, we can also deepen our awareness
Readings of the day:
First Reading: Isaiah 62.1-5
Second Reading: 1 Corinthians 12.4-11
Gospel: John 2.1-12
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