Reflection for the 2nd Sunday of Ordinary Time, Cycle C
The lectionary translation of the readings for this Sunday can be found at HERE
1st Reading: Isaiah 62:1–5
This encouraging prophecy of consolation was probably given after Israel’s return from the Babylonian Captivity. Their temple and their land was in ruins. They were to build it back, but the task seemed daunting and there was more despair than hope. Think about the things in your life that bring you close to despair and listen as if the prophet is talking directly to you.
2nd Reading: 1 Corinthians 12:4–11
This is part of Paul’s discussion of the Church as a communion of persons making up the Body of Christ. As you listen, be aware that he is talking about spiritual gifts given for the benefit of the Christian community. Also, his use of the term spiritual gifts is broader than the typical Church understanding of spiritual gifts. This might be a good week to reflect on the gifts God has given you and how you use them.
Gospel: John 2:1–11
Jesus and his disciples were also invited to the wedding. Jn 2:2
Gospel Reflection
In the 1970s, the newspaper, The National Catholic Reporter, ran an article about what the best pet for priests would be. After a relatively humorous discussion it settled on cats as best for priests because, as they said, cats don’t need to be loved. I know that is kind of a slam on priests, but it might be true for some of us.
In my case, I grew up in a family which didn’t express our love for each other physically. I’m not sure we ever said the words “I love you”, either. And when I was young, some people called me “romantic Ronald”, not because I was romantic, mind you. I didn’t know how to do relationship. I was awkward and fearful, and I’m not sure I had a very good idea of what relationship was supposed to be in the first place.
Yet we have this wonderful story, which uses the committed relationship of marriage as the example, and tells us that, if we invite Jesus into or relationships, they will be like enjoying the finest of wines… and not just the finest of wines, but an abundance of the finest of wines. Wow! So, how do we do that?
Notice that the Gospel story says that Jesus was “invited” to the banquet. That doesn’t mean that they had a banquet that Jesus would have approved of. It means that a conscious decision was made and action taken to have him there. How do we make him a part of our relationships.
The best I have to offer is what I received from somebody else. I don’t remember who the spiritual author was anymore, but I can tell you that his wisdom works. He said that, when we are interacting with someone, we should not focus so much on the “what” which is being said but on the “who” that is saying it. If we focus on the who, the what takes on a whole new dimension, even if we are disagreeing with what is said.
When we focus on the who, we interact with the emotion, the psychology and the spirit of the other. If we don’t, we are only interacting with the emotion, the psychology and the spirit of ourselves. We don’t experience the other at all. It’s no wonder that relationships can be empty; and, I might add… fruitless.
The wisdom writer from whom I learned this said that, if we truly focus on the other, we experience a mysterious third presence. That’s the presence of the Lord, through the Holy Spirit. And, if we experience the Lord in our relationships, there is a gut level excitement about it. We feel truly alive, and we feel profound love for the other.
Invite him in and experience the fine wine that his presence is.
Personal Reflection:
Jesus and his disciples were also invited to the wedding. Jn 2:2
Question:
What words or phrases grabbed your attention during the Liturgy of the Word on Sunday? What connection do those words or phrases have to your day-to-day life? (Why do you think they grabbed your attention?) What might God be trying to say to you through these words or phrases? What response should you make? What action should you take?
Alternative:
Think about, reflect upon, a time when you particularly felt another person being present to you (paying close attention to you as a person). When have you honored another person with that same kind of attention. How can you be more attentive in the future?
Mini Exegesis:
- This is the “beginning of his signs” that “revealed his glory” and resulted in “belief”. John’s whole Gospel is composed of the signs which reveal his glory, bit by bit, and are fulfilled in the full revelation of his glory in his death and resurrection.
- This story is about messianic replacement and abundance. The water used for Jewish ceremonial washings is replaced by the super abundant wine of the new age. This is one of John’s themes. Is 25:6 speaks of the messianic age w/ banquet and choice wine. Amos 9:13–14; Hos 14:7; Jer 31:12 speak of abundance.
- Wedding and banquet are symbols of the messianic age.
- This story completes the story of the call of the disciples, immediately preceding it, by noting that the began to believe. Note that began implies an ongoing process.
- This story occurs seven days after John the Baptist’s confession about his own role. Some scholars see it as similar to the creation story as creation is completed in 7 days. Does this mean that this is the beginning of Jesus’ ministry? His disciples have been gathered.
- Wisdom motif: In Isa 55:1–3 and Sir 15:3 and 24:19, 21, we have men given the food and drink of wisdom. The act of dining at Wisdom’s table and drinking her wine is a symbol for accepting her message.
- Wine represents Eucharist? Throughout history the Church has recognized this possible interpretation.
