Thursday, January 17, 2019

Second Sunday of the Year :C: January 20, 2019

           "THE WEDDING AT CANA" 

First Reading: Isaiah 62: 1-5
Second Reading: 1 Corinthians 12: 4-11
Gospel Reading: John 2: 1-12

   * First reading is from the book of Prophet Isaiah. In this passage Isaiah promises  the Lord God's protection for the people of Israel. He assures them that they shall experience happiness and joy because God has taken delight in them. He says that like a bridegroom rejoices over the bride so shall the Lord God rejoice over Israel.

   * Second reading is from the first letter of St. Paul to Corinthians. In this passage Paul explains to the Corinthian community that different gifts received by individual members have come from the same Spirit. They are to be used for the common good. Gifts of healing, miracles, prophecy and the gift of tongue- all these are inspired by the same Spirit of the Lord so that the whole community may benefit from them.

"Water was turned into wine"
Today's Gospel reading is from St. John. In this passage the wedding feast at Cana of Galilee is narrated. It was a typical marriage celebration of Palestine. Everyone ate and drank and at a half way stage of the celebrations, wine ran short and the organizers were in great distress. The bridegroom's family was facing deep embarrassment. Mother Mary came to know about their predicament and interceded with Jesus to help them out in their need.
In spite of initial hesitation from Jesus, Mary was so sure of her Son that she told the people in charge to do just as  Jesus tells them to do. What resulted was a great miracle. Twelve stone jars full of water were turned into wine and everyone continued to celebrate without a worry. This was the first miracle performed by Jesus.
In this miracle we have a few lessons.
1. If we want miracles to take place in our lives, we have to invite Jesus into our lives.
2. When in trouble, we must take our burdens to the Lord. Blaming each other for the failures and lapses is not a solution.
3. When Jesus inspires us in difficult situations, we must put our faith in the Lord and follow His promptings.
4. We should allow the grace of God to intervene in our lives.
5. Any miracle in our lives should be an occasion for rejoicing and should lead us to a deeper trust in the Lord. 
Finally the miracle at Cana  affirms that in times of great distress and difficulties we should not lose heart but turn to Mother Mary to intercede for us and she will definitely help us.
Let us take our crisis times as challenges and opportunities because Jesus can truly turn "water into wine " in our lives too.

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