Daily Readings - Sun Jan 20 2019

¹For the sake of Zion, I will not be silent, and for the sake of Jerusalem, I will not rest, until her Just One advances in splendor, and her Savior is kindled like a lamp²And the Gentiles will see your Just One, and all the kings will see your Renown One. And you shall be called by a new name, which the mouth of the Lord will choose³And you shall be a crown of glory in the hand of the Lord, and a royal diadem in the hand of your God⁴You will no longer be called Forsaken. And your land will no longer be called Desolate. Instead, you shall be called My Will within it, and your land shall be called Inhabited. For the Lord has been well pleased with you, and your land will be inhabited⁵For the young man will live with the virgin, and your children will live with you. And the groom will rejoice over the bride, and your God will rejoice over you

1 Corinthians

Chapter 12

⁴Truly, there are diverse graces, but the same Spirit⁵And there are diverse ministries, but the same Lord⁶And there are diverse works, but the same God, who works everything in everyone⁷However, the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one toward what is beneficial⁸Certainly, to one, through the Spirit, is given words of wisdom; but to another, according to the same Spirit, words of knowledge⁹to another, in the same Spirit, faith; to another, in the one Spirit, the gift of healing¹⁰to another, miraculous works; to another, prophecy; to another, the discernment of spirits; to another, different kinds of languages; to another, the interpretation of words¹¹But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one according to his will

John

Chapter 2

¹And on the third day, a wedding was held in Cana of Galilee, and the mother of Jesus was there²Now Jesus was also invited to the wedding, with his disciples³And when the wine was failing, the mother of Jesus said to him, "They have no wine.⁴And Jesus said to her: "What is that to me and to you, woman? My hour has not yet arrived.⁵His mother said to the servants, "Do whatever he tells you.⁶Now in that place, there were six stone water jars, for the purification ritual of the Jews, containing two or three measures each⁷Jesus said to them, "Fill the water jars with water." And they filled them to the very top⁸And Jesus said to them, "Now draw from it, and carry it to the chief steward of the feast." And they took it to him⁹Then, when the chief steward had tasted the water made into wine, since he did not know where it was from, for only the servants who had drawn the water knew, the chief steward called the groom¹⁰and he said to him: "Every man offers the good wine first, and then, when they have become inebriated, he offers what is worse. But you have kept the good wine until now.¹¹This was the beginning of the signs that Jesus accomplished in Cana of Galilee, and it manifested his glory, and his disciples believed in him¹²After this, he descended to Capernaum, with his mother and his brothers and his disciples, but they did not remain there for many days

Sermon

Today’s readings guide us through themes of hope, renewal, and the power of faith, inviting us to reflect on our relationship with God and our role within the community. The prophet Isaiah paints a vivid picture of a restored Zion, where God’s people are rejoiced over and given new names, symbolizing a renewed covenant. This vision of restoration is a testament to God’s enduring love and commitment to His people, offering hope to those in despair. In the Gospel, we find ourselves at the wedding in Cana, where Mary’s intercession leads to Jesus’ first miracle. This act not only showcases Jesus’ divine power but also highlights Mary’s trust and prompt action. The turning of water into wine is more than a sign; it’s a symbol of the new covenant, transforming the ordinary into the extraordinary, much like how God transforms our lives when we trust in Him. The second reading from Corinthians reminds us that while we each have unique gifts, we are united in the Spirit. Just as the guests at the wedding each played their part, we too are called to use our gifts for the common good. This unity in diversity is a powerful reminder of the body of Christ, where every member is valued. In our daily lives, these readings encourage us to trust in God’s timing and to recognize the significance of our contributions. Like Mary, we can intercede for others, trusting that God will act in His time. Embracing our roles within the community, we celebrate our diversity and work together towards a common purpose. Let us draw inspiration from these readings to live with hope, unity, and faith, trusting in God’s plan and valuing each person’s unique gifts.