Scripture reflection: They have no wine

9 January 2025

Almighty ever-living God, who govern all things, both in heaven and on earth, mercifully hear the pleading of your people and bestow your peace on our times. Second Sunday in Ordinary Time Year C, 19 January 2025.

LECTIONARY READINGS
First reading;
Isaiah 62:1-5
Responsorial psalm: Ps 95(96):1-3, 7-10
Second reading: 1 Corinthians 12:4-11
Gospel: John 2:1-11
Link to readings

After his Baptism, Jesus now starts his public ministry by giving us a first ‘sign’ of his transformative love. At the wedding feast of Cana, he changes water into wine at the suggestion of his mother. Here we see Mary already interceding for others. (Gospel)

The First Reading also uses the image of a wedding to show that the Lord rejoices in his people ‘as the bridegroom rejoices over his bride’. St Paul teaches the people of Corinth about the various gifts given to each one of them – and to each one of us – which can be used for the good of all in a variety of ways. These gifts all witness to the same Spirit, the same God. (Second Reading) The Psalm is a joyful song of praise that reflects the spirit of the other readings. It invites us to ‘Proclaim the wonders of the Lord among all the peoples’. God will judge the people with fairness.

As Pilgrims of Hope in this Jubilee Year, the joyful image of wedding festivities might inspire us to think of all who suffer from food poverty. We pray that each one of us might use our different gifts generously to help those in need, so that all have sustenance. In this way, may we appreciate the transforming love that God has for every one.

SECOND READING
1 Corinthians 12: 4–11
Brothers and Sisters:
There are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit;
and there are varieties of service, but the same Lord;
and there are varieties of activities,
but it is the same God who empowers them all in everyone.
To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good.
For to one is given through the Spirit the utterance of wisdom,
and to another the utterance 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 the working of miracles,
to another prophecy,
to another the ability to distinguish between spirits,
to another various kinds of tongues,
to another the interpretation of tongues.
All these are empowered by one and the same Spirit,
who apportions to each one individually as he wills.

REFLECTION
As I come to pray today, what is my mood? I spend a few moments acknowledging how I feel: calm, expectant, fed up, anxious, or . . . ? Without judging, I ask the Spirit for the gift of acceptance, trusting that the Lord awaits my company.

Taking a few deep breaths, I look at the text and read it several times, slowly and reflectively. Perhaps I am drawn to reflect on my own gifts. It may help me to write them down. They may be different from the ones listed above, yet just as important, and coming from the same God. What use do I make of them?

Maybe I come to realise that some of my gifts are lying dormant? I may want to speak with the Lord about them, and I listen to him. I look around me. What gifts do I see in others ... in those in positions of leadership ... in my immediate community . . . or in my family? To what extent do these people use their gifts? What difference would it make if all of us used our God-given gifts for the common good?

When the time comes to end my prayer, without rushing, I use my own words to thank the Lord.  Perhaps I use my own gift of faith to pray for those who have none.

GOSPEL
John 2: 1–11
At that time: There was a wedding at Cana in Galilee, and the mother of Jesus was there. Jesus also was invited to the wedding with his disciples. When the wine ran out, the mother of Jesus said to him, ‘They have no wine.’ And Jesus said to her, ‘Woman, what does this have to do with me? My hour has not yet come.’ His mother said to the servants, ‘Do whatever he tells you.’

Now there were six stone water jars there for the Jewish rites of purification, each holding 70 or 100 litres. Jesus said to the servants, ‘Fill the jars with water.’ And they filled them up to the brim. And he said to them, ‘Now draw some out and take it to the master of the feast.’ So they took it. When the master of the feast tasted the water now become wine, and did not know where it came from (though the servants who had drawn the water knew), the master of the feast called the bridegroom and said to him, ‘Everyone serves the good wine first, and when people have drunk freely, then the poor wine. But you have kept the good wine until now.’

This, the first of his signs, Jesus did at Cana in Galilee, and manifested his glory. And his disciples believed in him.

REFLECTION
If possible, I find a quiet place, indoors or outdoors, to spend some quality time with the Lord. For a few moments I try to relax and put my worries aside. When I am ready, I read this familiar story slowly, perhaps several times. What does it say to me today?

Using my imagination, I try to visualise the scene and all the people involved. Maybe I find myself standing with Mary . . . or with Jesus . . . or with the master of the feast. How do I feel as I see each of them respond to the situation?

Am I, like Mary, confident that Jesus will be able to help? Or am I worried, anxious or baffled? Maybe I recall times in my own life where I followed Mary’s command: ‘Do whatever he tells you’. What happened? Perhaps I now realise how my circumstances were transformed, even if I could not see it then.

I ponder. If there still are areas in my life which are empty and need filling, I ask the Lord to help me, trusting in his unconditional love for me. Finally, when I am ready, I close my prayer with my own words of thanks.

Image: The Wedding at Cana by Nicolás Correa, 1693, mixed media with encrusted mother-of-pearl on panel, Hispanic Society of America. WikiCommons

X

Would you like trial access to explore the platform?

It is free and can be for as many staff members as you wish.

Get in touch via [email protected] and we can set this up for you.

X

Would you like a tour of the site for you and your RE team?

We can connect via your preferred platform (Zoom, Teams, Google meet etc).
It is free and takes 15mins.

Get in touch via [email protected] and we can book one in for you.