It is 16th January 2022. We celebrate the second Sunday in Ordinary Time.
We reflect on Isaiah 62:1-5; 1 Cor 12:4-11 and John 2:1-12.
As people returned from exile in Babylon, Isaiah prophesied that the Lord had forgotten their unfaithfulness and wilful amnesia of God. God wants to offer another chance by establishing a marital relationship with the people of Israel. What assuring and consoling words for those who lost everything including hope. We all can memorise these words and repeat them: “You shall be a crown of beauty in the hand of the Lord, and a royal diadem in the hand of your God. You shall no more be termed Forsaken or Desolate, but you shall be called My Delight. For, the Lord delights in you, and your land shall be married.” (Is. 6:3-5)
In the second reading, St. Paul enumerates the variety of gifts we all have received, and we are reminded that all the gifts we have received from the Holy Spirit is for the common good and it needs to be put to use for the mission of the Lord and the Church. “To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good.”
The evangelist St. John did not speak of the first miracle but of a sign. A sign that has larger implications beyond the marriage at Cana.
The first sign by Jesus transforming water into wine. It is the beginning of the messianic activity of Jesus. It is the action of God in human life. The wedding banquet at Cana triggers our minds to reflect more deeply on marriage. Celebration of marriage is the beginning of family bonding at all levels. The presence of Jesus in the wedding feast brings us closer to the New Covenant God wants to make with us all.
A fox lived in the deep forest without its front legs but was taken care of by someone daily. A curious farmer who wanted to know the answer witnessed that a lion used to bring a piece of meat every day for the fox. Then the farmer thought to himself that if God could provide so mysteriously, he could also remain in the hut and wait for the great Provider to feed him. Days rolled by and he became lean and losing his consciousness, he a voice spoke to him: “O you, who have mistaken the way, see now the Truth! You should have followed the example of that tiger instead of imitating the disabled fox.”
“Do whatever he tells you” (Jn 2: 5).
Today to Our Lady says to us all: “Whatever he tells you — Jesus tells you, do it”. It is the legacy that she has left us: it is beautiful! What does Jesus say to us this week?
It is the formula of faith used by the people of Israel at Sinai in response to the promises of the Covenant: “All that the Lord has spoken we will do!” (Ex 19:8).
Mary represented us all and the Church as the mother of Jesus with her sensitive awareness of the need of others.
Doing what Jesus tells us the new mission entrusted to us all. It is indeed the New Covenant to all the Church.
“O woman, what have you to do with me?” “My hour has not yet come” (Jn 2:4).
Refusing the request of Mary initially and putting the faith of Her to test. St Augustine interpreted this hour with the Passion event.
“Jesus said to them, ‘Fill the jars with water’. And they filled them up to the brim. He said to them, ‘Now draw some out, and take it to the steward of the feast’. So, they took it” (Jn 2:7-8).
At Cana Jesus’ disciples become his family and at Cana, the faith of the Church is born. We are all invited to the wedding feast because the new wine will never run short!
The marriage relationship is the intimate relationship of all relationships and it is even incomparable with the most affectionate love between parents and children.
Marriage is an eighth celebration in Jewish culture. Having run short of wine is a shame for the bride and the groom even for the family. It is preparation for a year especially preparing wine for the guest. For an unknown reason, there was no wine. That is where we see the motherly heart of Mary steps in to save the face of the family.
Three things we need to learn from today’s reading. Acknowledging, applying, and adhering.
Acknowledging that we are running short of wine. Applying the gifts for the welfare of the community. And constantly adhering to the life-giving Words of Jesus.
This wedding reminds us of the meal we celebrate every Sunday, the Eucharist.
Are Mary and Jesus included in our celebrations? May our Beloved mother Mary intercede for us when we are in need and we have have the courage to share the gifts of the Holy Spirit with others. God bless you.