First Reading: Isaiah 62:1-5

Reflection:

The Prophet Isaiah speaks in this Sunday’s first reading about a time of restoration for the people of Israel. Ultimately, this restoration would come in the Messianic Age, when the Messiah would reign as king. The prophecy speaks about the identity of the people of God in light of this time of restoration. The people of God in its original context would have referred to the nation of Israel. In hindsight, we know that the fulfillment of this prophecy is found in Jesus and His Church. Thus, everything it says about the people of God applies those of us who are members of the Church. That said, the people of God are given a beautiful identity as “a glorious crown,” “a royal diadem,” “My Delight,” and “Espoused.” The prophecy goes on to speak about the people of God as His beloved bride in whom he rejoices. This spousal imagery of the relationship between God and His people is found all throughout the Bible. In the New Testament, for example, the Church is referred as the “bride of Christ.” In essence, this imagery tells us that God wants us to be a part of His family. He wants us to be in close relationship with Him. God loves us unconditionally, but will we love Him in return? Any marriage is a two-way street. In our spousal relationship with God, He will always do His part. Will you be faithful to yours?

Second Reading: 1 Corinthians 12:4-11

Reflection:

In this passage, the Apostle Paul speaks of “spiritual gifts.” These are also called charisms in Catholic teaching. When we are baptized, the Holy Spirit (the Third Person of the Trinity) comes to dwell within us. With the gift of the Holy Spirit comes the reception of one or more spiritual gifts. Therefore, every baptized person has at least one spiritual gift. Paul here lists a few of them: wisdom, knowledge, faith, healing, mighty deeds, prophecy, discernment of spirits, speaking in tongues, and interpreting tongues. This is far from an exhaustive list of spiritual gifts. In fact, Paul lists more in other parts of his writings. Some examples would include: service, teaching, giving, leadership, mercy, hospitality, administration, evangelism, and pastoring. Each of these gifts has certain qualities and characteristics that describe it. Unfortunately, there is not space to go into all of them here. But one characteristic of all spiritual gifts is that they are given to us in order to be used to serve others. No spiritual gift is given to us strictly for our own benefit. Also, they are not the same as natural talents. Spiritual gifts are not received biologically from our parents, but spiritually by virtue of our baptism. Nor are they merely skills or abilities developed with practice. Rather, they are supernatural gifts given freely to us by God to be fostered and utilized to build up His kingdom, the Church. Additionally, the charisms God has given you will never be taken away. Still, that doesn’t mean someone will be an amazing teaching from the moment they are baptized until they die. Spiritual gifts must be developed and allowed to work in us. We can suppress the gifts through disobeying God. In order for the gifts to bear fruit in our lives, we must cooperate with God’s grace, allowing the charisms that God has given us to grow so we can use them to honor Him and serve others.

Gospel Reading: John 2:1-11

Reflection:

We have now moved from the Christmas season into Ordinary Time. Last Sunday, the Christmas season ended with the celebration of the Baptism of the Lord. Jesus’ baptism by John was the formal beginning of Jesus’ public ministry. During Ordinary Time, the Gospel readings will focus on Jesus’ ministry. This Sunday we hear about His first recorded miracle. The Wedding Feast at Cana is a well-known account of Jesus turning water into wine, but there is much more going on here than Jesus simply fixing the problem of a shortage of wine. In fact, this passage tells us much about His mother, Mary. She is the one who first brought the request to Jesus to solve the problem. This shortage of wine, in fact, would have been a major embarrassment to the newly married couple and their families. In that culture, it would have been devastating to their reputation. Jesus’ response to Mary’s request (“Woman, how does your concern affect me? My hour has not yet come.”) may at first reading sound demeaning, but it should not be taken that way. Jesus was expressing to Mary that if He performed this miracle (which she must have believed He could do), it would begin the sequence of events that would lead to His passion and death, which is what He meant by His “hour.” Although Mary knew that her son’s mission was to suffer and die, she may not have realized that her request for Jesus to do something about the shortage of wine would lead Him down that path. Still, when Jesus indicated this to her, she did not shy away from the request. Rather, she told the servers to “Do whatever he tells you.” This is evidence of Mary’s extraordinary faith. It is also intriguing to know that these are the last words of Mary that are recorded in Scripture. As our spiritual mother, Mary is continuously speaking these same words to us, telling us to “Do whatever [Jesus] tells you.” Mary’s faith is certainly one to emulate, but we can also admire the faith of the servants who did, in fact, do exactly what Jesus told them, even though they certainly would not have understood. As a result, Jesus performed the miracle of changing water into wine and, thus, “revealed his glory,” opening the door for many more signs and wonders that He would perform during His ministry and leading Him down the path towards fulfilling His mission at the crucifixion.

Application:

  • Have you ever thought about your spiritual gifts? It takes time to discern what gifts you have been given. Think about what opportunities give you great joy. Ask others around you what they find you to be very good at. Spiritual gifts need to be discerned and then developed. Take some time to reflect on and pray about what gifts you have been given by God. Then, put them into action.
  • As our spiritual mother, Mary’s message to us is to “Do whatever [Jesus] tells you,” just as was her directive to the servants at the Wedding Feast at Cana. What is Jesus telling you to do? Whatever it is, follow the example of the servants and faithfully obey Him, even if you don’t understand why.