The Word Among Us: A Catholic Devotional based on the Daily Mass Reading & Meditation for Sunday, 17 January 2016
Meditation: John 2:1 On Tuesday[John 2:1 Greek: the third day, equivalent to Hebrew yom shlishi] there was a wedding at Kanah in the Galil; and the mother of Yeshua was there. 2 Yeshua too was invited to the wedding, along with his talmidim. 3 The wine ran out, and Yeshua’s mother said to him, “They have no more wine.” 4 Yeshua replied, “Mother, why should that concern me? — or you? My time hasn’t come yet.” 5 His mother said to the servants, “Do whatever he tells you.” 6 Now six stone water-jars were standing there for the Jewish ceremonial washings, each with a capacity of twenty or thirty gallons. 7 Yeshua told them, “Fill the jars with water,” and they filled them to the brim. 8 He said, “Now draw some out, and take it to the man in charge of the banquet”; and they took it. 9 The man in charge tasted the water; it had now turned into wine! He did not know where it had come from, but the servants who had drawn the water knew. So he called the bridegroom 10 and said to him, “Everyone else serves the good wine first and the poorer wine after people have drunk freely. But you have kept the good wine until now!” 11 This, the first of Yeshua’s miraculous signs, he did at Kanah in the Galil; he manifested his glory, and his talmidim came to trust in him.
2nd Sunday in Ordinary Time
They have no wine.(John 2:3)
This is one of those stories that appears only in the Gospel of John. No one is sure why John included it, but one thing is certain. It tells us about the faith of a very special woman, the Virgin Mary.
We can’t assume that Mary had first received Jesus’ permission before she told the servants, “Do whatever he tells you” (John 2:5). If anything, you might expect Mary to have been intimidated by her son’s stern response: “How does your concern affect me?” (2:4). Jesus told her that it was not the right time for him to get involved.
But John makes it clear that Mary is special. She could actually get Jesus to change his mind. John also shows us how much Jesus loved his mother and wanted to please her. He cared about the things that were important to her, even if it meant rescuing a party before the time had come for him to manifest himself.
Mary’s close relationship with Jesus is the primary reason why she is such a powerful intercessor. It’s why the Church invites us to go to her with all of our needs and ask her to “pray for us sinners.” You can just imagine the scene in heaven described by a popular legend: if Mary is talking to Jesus about the different prayer requests that people have entrusted to her, all the other saints have to wait until she is done before they bring their prayers to him. Mary always gets Jesus’ undivided attention!
Like the ascending and descending ladder in Jacob’s dream, Mary is a link between heaven and earth. She loves to take our intercessions and our petitions to Jesus. At the same time, she delights in receiving grace and blessings from heaven and planting them in our hearts.
So bring your needs to the one who is full of grace. And try your best to listen when she says, “Do whatever Jesus tells you.”
“Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us.” Amen!
Isaiah 62:1 For Tziyon’s sake I will not be silent,
Questions for Reflection or Discussion:2nd Sunday in Ordinary Time
They have no wine.(John 2:3)
This is one of those stories that appears only in the Gospel of John. No one is sure why John included it, but one thing is certain. It tells us about the faith of a very special woman, the Virgin Mary.
We can’t assume that Mary had first received Jesus’ permission before she told the servants, “Do whatever he tells you” (John 2:5). If anything, you might expect Mary to have been intimidated by her son’s stern response: “How does your concern affect me?” (2:4). Jesus told her that it was not the right time for him to get involved.
But John makes it clear that Mary is special. She could actually get Jesus to change his mind. John also shows us how much Jesus loved his mother and wanted to please her. He cared about the things that were important to her, even if it meant rescuing a party before the time had come for him to manifest himself.
Mary’s close relationship with Jesus is the primary reason why she is such a powerful intercessor. It’s why the Church invites us to go to her with all of our needs and ask her to “pray for us sinners.” You can just imagine the scene in heaven described by a popular legend: if Mary is talking to Jesus about the different prayer requests that people have entrusted to her, all the other saints have to wait until she is done before they bring their prayers to him. Mary always gets Jesus’ undivided attention!
Like the ascending and descending ladder in Jacob’s dream, Mary is a link between heaven and earth. She loves to take our intercessions and our petitions to Jesus. At the same time, she delights in receiving grace and blessings from heaven and planting them in our hearts.
So bring your needs to the one who is full of grace. And try your best to listen when she says, “Do whatever Jesus tells you.”
“Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us.” Amen!
Isaiah 62:1 For Tziyon’s sake I will not be silent,
for Yerushalayim’s sake I will not rest,
until her vindication shines out brightly
and her salvation like a blazing torch.
2 The nations will see your vindication
and all kings your glory.
Then you will be called by a new name
which Adonai himself will pronounce.
3 You will be a glorious crown in the hand of Adonai,
a royal diadem held by your God.
4 You will no longer be spoken of as ‘Azuvah [Abandoned]
or your land be spoken of as ‘Sh’mamah [Desolate];
rather, you will be called Heftzi-Vah [My-Delight-Is-In-Her]
and your land Be‘ulah [Married].
For Adonai delights in you,
and your land will be married —
5 as a young man marries a young woman,
your sons will marry you;
as a bridegroom rejoices over the bride,
your God will rejoice over you.
Psalms 96:1 Sing to Adonai a new song!
Sing to Adonai, all the earth!
2 Sing to Adonai, bless his name!
Proclaim his victory day after day!
3 Declare his glory among the nations,
his wonders among all peoples!
7 Give Adonai his due, you families from the peoples;
give Adonai his due of glory and strength;
8 give Adonai the glory due to his name;
bring an offering, and enter his courtyards.
9 Worship Adonai in holy splendor;
tremble before him, all the earth!
10 Say among the nations, “Adonai is king!”
The world is firmly established, immovable.
He will judge the peoples fairly.
1 Corinthians 12:4 Now there are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit gives them. 5 Also there are different ways of serving, but it is the same Lord being served. 6 And there are different modes of working, but it is the same God working them all in everyone. 7 Moreover, to each person is given the particular manifestation of the Spirit that will be for the common good. 8 To one, through the Spirit, is given a word of wisdom; to another, a word of knowledge, in accordance with the same Spirit; 9 to another, faith, by the same Spirit; and to another, gifts of healing, by the one Spirit; 10 to another, the working of miracles; to another, prophecy; to another, the ability to judge between spirits; to another, the ability to speak in different kinds of tongues; and to yet another, the ability to interpret tongues. 11 One and the same Spirit is at work in all these things, distributing to each person as he chooses.
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[Mass Readings:
1st Reading: Isaiah 62:1 For Tziyon’s sake I will not be silent,
for Yerushalayim’s sake I will not rest,
until her vindication shines out brightly
and her salvation like a blazing torch.
2 The nations will see your vindication
and all kings your glory.
Then you will be called by a new name
which Adonai himself will pronounce.
3 You will be a glorious crown in the hand of Adonai,
a royal diadem held by your God.
4 You will no longer be spoken of as ‘Azuvah [Abandoned]
or your land be spoken of as ‘Sh’mamah [Desolate];
rather, you will be called Heftzi-Vah [My-Delight-Is-In-Her]
and your land Be‘ulah [Married].
For Adonai delights in you,
and your land will be married —
5 as a young man marries a young woman,
your sons will marry you;
as a bridegroom rejoices over the bride,
your God will rejoice over you.
Responsorial: Psalms 96:1 Sing to Adonai a new song!
Sing to Adonai, all the earth!
2 Sing to Adonai, bless his name!
Proclaim his victory day after day!
3 Declare his glory among the nations,
his wonders among all peoples!
7 Give Adonai his due, you families from the peoples;
give Adonai his due of glory and strength;
8 give Adonai the glory due to his name;
bring an offering, and enter his courtyards.
9 Worship Adonai in holy splendor;
tremble before him, all the earth!
10 Say among the nations, “Adonai is king!”
The world is firmly established, immovable.
He will judge the peoples fairly.
2nd Reading: 1 Corinthians 12:4 Now there are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit gives them. 5 Also there are different ways of serving, but it is the same Lord being served. 6 And there are different modes of working, but it is the same God working them all in everyone. 7 Moreover, to each person is given the particular manifestation of the Spirit that will be for the common good. 8 To one, through the Spirit, is given a word of wisdom; to another, a word of knowledge, in accordance with the same Spirit; 9 to another, faith, by the same Spirit; and to another, gifts of healing, by the one Spirit; 10 to another, the working of miracles; to another, prophecy; to another, the ability to judge between spirits; to another, the ability to speak in different kinds of tongues; and to yet another, the ability to interpret tongues. 11 One and the same Spirit is at work in all these things, distributing to each person as he chooses.
Gospel: John 2:1 On Tuesday[John 2:1 Greek: the third day, equivalent to Hebrew yom shlishi] there was a wedding at Kanah in the Galil; and the mother of Yeshua was there. 2 Yeshua too was invited to the wedding, along with his talmidim. 3 The wine ran out, and Yeshua’s mother said to him, “They have no more wine.” 4 Yeshua replied, “Mother, why should that concern me? — or you? My time hasn’t come yet.” 5 His mother said to the servants, “Do whatever he tells you.” 6 Now six stone water-jars were standing there for the Jewish ceremonial washings, each with a capacity of twenty or thirty gallons. 7 Yeshua told them, “Fill the jars with water,” and they filled them to the brim. 8 He said, “Now draw some out, and take it to the man in charge of the banquet”; and they took it. 9 The man in charge tasted the water; it had now turned into wine! He did not know where it had come from, but the servants who had drawn the water knew. So he called the bridegroom 10 and said to him, “Everyone else serves the good wine first and the poorer wine after people have drunk freely. But you have kept the good wine until now!” 11 This, the first of Yeshua’s miraculous signs, he did at Kanah in the Galil; he manifested his glory, and his talmidim came to trust in him.]
1. In the first reading, we read that God “delights” and “rejoices” in his people. God’s joy is compared with the joy of a bridegroom in his bride. How would you describe how God has blessed your life? Does your life reflect a joy in what God has done for you? What steps can you take to increase your “joy in the Lord”?
2. In the Responsorial Psalm, we are encouraged to “announce” God’s salvation and “tell” others of his “glory” and “wondrous deeds.” What opportunities are available in your church, at work, in the community, or at home to bring Jesus Christ to others? Which of these opportunities can you follow up on in the coming weeks?
3. In the letter to the Corinthians, St. Paul speaks of the individual spiritual gifts we have each received from God. He goes on to say that: “To each individual the manifestation of the Spirit is given for some benefit” (1 Corinthians 12:7). How well do you know what spiritual gifts God has given you? What practical steps can you take to gain a greater understanding of these gifts?
4. St. Paul says these spiritual gifts are not just for us. God is asking us to share our “gifts” in order to build up the Church. What can you do, individually, or as a group, to make your “gifts” available to others, including your parish community?
5. In today’s Gospel, Mary’s great faith in Jesus is summed up in these words to the wine servers: “Do whatever he tells you” (John 2:5). Our own faith is built up, as God touches us, and speaks to us, through our prayer and scripture reading and through the sacraments, especially the Eucharist. Have you ever experienced times when you sensed God was speaking a word to you in your heart? What was the impact on your life? What do you believe God is asking of you now?
6. In the Meditation, we hear these words regarding Mary: “Mary’s close relationship with Jesus is the primary reason why she is such a powerful intercessor. It’s why the Church invites us to go to her with all of our needs and ask her to ‘pray for us sinners.’” The meditation goes on to tell us that “Mary is a link between heaven and earth. She loves to take our intercessions and our petitions to Jesus. At the same time, she delights in receiving grace and blessings from heaven and planting them in our hearts. So bring your needs to the one who is full of grace. And try your best to listen when she says, ‘Do whatever Jesus tells you.’” When you “bring your needs” to Mary in prayer, why is it also important to do so with an expectant faith, believing that God hears our prayers and will respond even though we may not be sure of what the response will be?
7. Take some time now to pray and to “bring your needs to the one who is full of grace.” Use the prayer at the end of the meditation as the starting point.
“Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us.” Amen!
1. In the first reading, we read that God “delights” and “rejoices” in his people. God’s joy is compared with the joy of a bridegroom in his bride. How would you describe how God has blessed your life? Does your life reflect a joy in what God has done for you? What steps can you take to increase your “joy in the Lord”?
2. In the Responsorial Psalm, we are encouraged to “announce” God’s salvation and “tell” others of his “glory” and “wondrous deeds.” What opportunities are available in your church, at work, in the community, or at home to bring Jesus Christ to others? Which of these opportunities can you follow up on in the coming weeks?
3. In the letter to the Corinthians, St. Paul speaks of the individual spiritual gifts we have each received from God. He goes on to say that: “To each individual the manifestation of the Spirit is given for some benefit” (1 Corinthians 12:7). How well do you know what spiritual gifts God has given you? What practical steps can you take to gain a greater understanding of these gifts?
4. St. Paul says these spiritual gifts are not just for us. God is asking us to share our “gifts” in order to build up the Church. What can you do, individually, or as a group, to make your “gifts” available to others, including your parish community?
5. In today’s Gospel, Mary’s great faith in Jesus is summed up in these words to the wine servers: “Do whatever he tells you” (John 2:5). Our own faith is built up, as God touches us, and speaks to us, through our prayer and scripture reading and through the sacraments, especially the Eucharist. Have you ever experienced times when you sensed God was speaking a word to you in your heart? What was the impact on your life? What do you believe God is asking of you now?
6. In the Meditation, we hear these words regarding Mary: “Mary’s close relationship with Jesus is the primary reason why she is such a powerful intercessor. It’s why the Church invites us to go to her with all of our needs and ask her to ‘pray for us sinners.’” The meditation goes on to tell us that “Mary is a link between heaven and earth. She loves to take our intercessions and our petitions to Jesus. At the same time, she delights in receiving grace and blessings from heaven and planting them in our hearts. So bring your needs to the one who is full of grace. And try your best to listen when she says, ‘Do whatever Jesus tells you.’” When you “bring your needs” to Mary in prayer, why is it also important to do so with an expectant faith, believing that God hears our prayers and will respond even though we may not be sure of what the response will be?
7. Take some time now to pray and to “bring your needs to the one who is full of grace.” Use the prayer at the end of the meditation as the starting point.
“Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us.” Amen!
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