Daily Readings - Sun Jan 16 2022

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

In today's readings, we encounter powerful themes of transformation, unity, and trust in God's plan. The first reading from Isaiah 62:1-5 paints a vivid picture of hope and renewal. Isaiah speaks of a time when Zion and Jerusalem will be transformed, shedding their old identities of desolation for new names that reflect God's delight and presence. This passage, set in a post-exilic context, offers comfort to a people yearning for restoration, promising that God will not rest until His light shines upon them. The second reading from 1 Corinthians 12:4-11 shifts our focus to the early Christian community, where Paul emphasizes the diversity of spiritual gifts. He reminds us that while our talents and abilities may differ, they all originate from the same Spirit. This unity in diversity is crucial for the functioning of the body of Christ, where each member contributes uniquely yet harmoniously. Paul's message underscores the importance of valuing each person's contribution, recognizing that together, we form a cohesive whole working towards the common good. In the Gospel of John 2:1-12, we witness the first of Jesus's miracles at the wedding in Cana. This event is a turning point, as Jesus transforms water into wine, revealing His glory and leading His disciples to faith. Mary's intercession and trust in her Son exemplify the importance of prayer and surrender to God's timing. The miracle not only highlights Jesus's divine power but also symbolizes the transformation He brings into our lives, turning the ordinary into the extraordinary. These readings invite us to reflect on our own lives. Like the people of Zion, we may await transformation, trusting in God's promise of renewal. Like the Corinthians, we are called to recognize and utilize our unique gifts for the benefit of others. And like the wedding guests, we are reminded to trust in God's timing and to be open to the miraculous in our everyday lives. Let us embrace our roles, trust in God's plan, and remain open to the transformative power of His Spirit. In doing so, we may become instruments of hope, unity, and renewal in a world that deeply needs it.