Second Sunday in Ordinary Time
1st Reading: Isaiah 62:1–5
For Zion’s sake I will not be silent, for Jerusalem’s sake I will not be quiet, until her vindication shines forth like the dawn and her victory like a burning torch. Nations shall behold your vindication, and all the kings your glory; you shall be called by a new name pronounced by the mouth of the Lord. You shall be a glorious crown in the hand of the Lord, a royal diadem held by your God. No more shall people call you “Forsaken,” or your land “Desolate,” but you shall be called “My Delight,” and your land “Espoused.” For the Lord delights in you and makes your land his spouse. As a young man marries a virgin, your Builder shall marry you; and as a bridegroom rejoices in his bride so shall your God rejoice in you.
2nd Reading: 1 Corinthians 12:4–11
Brothers and sisters: There are different kinds of spiritual gifts but the same Spirit; there are different forms of service but the same Lord; there are different workings but the same God who produces all of them in everyone. To each individual the manifestation of the Spirit is given for some benefit. To one is given through the Spirit the expression of wisdom; to another, the expression of knowledge according to the same Spirit; to another, faith by the same Spirit; to another, gifts of healing by the one Spirit; to another, mighty deeds; to another, prophecy; to another, discernment of spirits; to another, varieties of tongues; to another, interpretation of tongues. But one and the same Spirit produces all of these, distributing them individually to each person as he wishes.
Gospel: John 2:1–11
There was a wedding at Cana in Galilee, and the mother of Jesus was there. Jesus and his disciples were also invited to the wedding. When the wine ran short, the mother of Jesus said to him, “They have no wine.” And Jesus said to her, “Woman, how does your concern affect me? My hour has not yet come.” His mother said to the servers, “Do whatever he tells you.” Now there were six stone water jars there for Jewish ceremonial washings, each holding twenty to thirty gallons. Jesus told them, “Fill the jars with water.” So, they filled them to the brim. Then he told them, “Draw some out now and take it to the headwaiter.” So, they took it. And when the headwaiter tasted the water that had become wine, without knowing where it came from —although the servers who had drawn the water knew—, the headwaiter called the bridegroom and said to him, “Everyone serves good wine first, and then when people have drunk freely, an inferior one; but you have kept the good wine until now.” Jesus did this as the beginning of his signs at Cana in Galilee and so revealed his glory, and his disciples began to believe in him.
THE TRUE CONSOLER: When a member of a rich family dies, many people gather at the deceased homestead. Some come to sympathize with the known family while others come to eat, drink and see worldly glories. When a member of a poor family dies, only a few and mostly very close members of the family turn up. The family has “nothing” to offer. Human beings often console with strings attached. God offers true and complete consolation with no strings attached. When Jesus turns water into wine at the wedding in Cana, he saves the wedding couple from embarrassment, yet he desires no worldly returns. He desires salvation so that we may live eternally with God. Jesus brings joy as he teaches of the abundance in the Kingdom of God. Let us turn to Jesus and get true happiness, consolation, and the abundant blessings of the Kingdom.
Prayer: May your people always turn to you Lord to find true consolation.
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GOD TRANSFORMS ANXIETY INTO JOY: Anxiety is negative and unhealthy. An anxious person needs help so that the anxiety can be transformed into confidence and joy. Turning to God helps this transformation, one can experience this transformation. When wine ran out during the wedding at Cana (John 2:1-12), Mary, the mother of Jesus, turned towards her Son that is, turned to God for assistance. Through the sign of turning water into wine at the wedding, Jesus revealed God’s glory. He turned people’s anxiety into joy. The presence of God’s glory in the person of Jesus, the son of Mary, and the Son of God, brings about abundant joy, which is symbolized in the abundance of wine. The joy which God gives is medicinal, because it heals people, not only spiritually but also mentally. It relaxes us and enable us to carry out our daily activities peacefully.
DAILY GOSPEL 