Second Sunday Ordinary Time
Jn 2:1-11.
Theme: “They Have No Wine”
Today, readings shows that the concern for the other’s need is the cause of miracle. The gospel speaks of the first miracle of Jesus at the wedding canna and it shows how we need to relate with Him and with one another. Miracle did not happened because of the blood relationship of mother and son but because of the faith of the disciple who is Mother Mary and her sensitivity to the need of others. In the same way, Isaiah shows the sensitivity or concern of God to the Israel in the first reading. Isaiah predicts God’s salvation of Jerusalem after the return of the Babylonian exiles. In the second reading, St. Paul reminds of “the varieties of gifts and it is the same God who empowers them all in everyone.”
Following are the criteria for allowing God to work miracle in our lives:
First of all, we need to invite Jesus and Mary to remain with us in our homes, when we feel shortages and abundant in our family lives. What are the occasion when we need to invite Jesus in our lives? Some of the vocations are: Joyous, sorrowful, times of blessing, daily activities and finally every activities of our daily life: waking up, eating, travelling, working and resting. By doing this, you will become aware of the presence of Jesus and Mary in the family. It will encourage among yourselves to create an atmosphere of prayer, Bible-reading, mutual love, and respect, with a spirit of forgiveness and sacrificial service at home. This change will refresh and renovate family life, removing its boredom. It is becomes the miracle in the family. Question is are you willing to invite Jesus and Mary to remain in your home?
Secondly, you desire for miracle, you need to start to concern for the needs of others. For Mary and for Jesus the needs of others come first. Mary knew Jesus for thirty years but she never asked Jesus to perform a miracle for her own benefits. she was living with a wonder-worker and yet never she ask him to multiply her bread, turn the water on the dining table into wine, or double her money to make ends meet? Tricky part is this, she was quick to ask Jesus for a miracle to help other. Think of it. If you have a child who has a miraculous power to double money for other kids at school, won’t you ask him to double yours at home too? After all, one would argue, charity begins at home. If we do so. We would narrow down the God’s miraculous power to misuse.
Thirdly, use the gift Take the case of Jesus. He knew he had this power to perform miracles. After his forty days fast in the desert he was hungry and the devil suggested it to him to turn some stones into bread and eat, but he did not do it. Yet he went out and multiplied bread for crowds of his followers. Why did Jesus do that? We find the answer to it in the second reading. St Paul also tells us, when he enumerates the many different gifts of the Holy Spirit to different persons and adds that “to each person is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good,” (1 Corinthians 12:6) not for personal profit. Today, then, is a good day to ask ourselves: “What gifts has God given me? Am I using these gifts mainly for my own personal profit or for the service of others in the community?”
Fourth is to follow the Mary’s instruction: “Do whatever He tells you.” This is the only recorded command given by Mary in the New Testament, and it is a prerequisite for miracles in our families. The Bible tells us how to do the will of God and effect salvific changes in our daily lives. It is about the obedience to God’s plan. It manifests the faith of Mother Mary. Do we manifests the same faith in time of obscurity? Do we obey God’s Plan.
Fifth, As Jesus turns the water into wine, Jesus challenges us also to enrich the empty lives of those around us with the new wine of love, mercy, concern, and care.
Sixth is to appreciate the miracle of God’s providence in our live. God often as an uninvited guest in our families, works daily miracles in our lives by protecting us from physical and moral dangers, providing for our needs, inspiring us, and strengthening us with His Holy Spirit.
Let us ask for the grace in this celebration so that we may be able to invite Jesus into our hearts to do whatever he will by using our gift to the service of other with the concern of other’s need. In the name of the Father, and the son and the Holy Spirit. Amen.
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