Daily Readings - Sun Jan 20 2019

¹For Zion's sake I will not keep silent, and for Jerusalem's sake I will not be quiet, until her righteousness goes forth as brightness, and her salvation as a burning torch.²The nations shall see your righteousness, and all the kings your glory, and you shall be called by a new name that the mouth of the LORD will give.³You shall be a crown of beauty in the hand of the LORD, and a royal diadem in the hand of your God.⁴You shall no more be termed Forsaken, and your land shall no more be termed Desolate, but you shall be called My Delight Is in Her, and your land Married; for the LORD delights in you, and your land shall be married.⁵For as a young man marries a young woman, so shall your sons marry you, and as the bridegroom rejoices over the bride, so shall your God rejoice over you.

1 Corinthians

Chapter 12

⁴Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit;⁵and there are varieties of service, but the same Lord;⁶and there are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who empowers them all in everyone.⁷To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good.⁸To one is given through the Spirit the utterance of wisdom, and to another the utterance of knowledge according to the same Spirit,⁹to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by the one Spirit,¹⁰to 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.¹¹All these are empowered by one and the same Spirit, who apportions to each one individually as he wills.

John

Chapter 2

¹On the third day there was a wedding at Cana in Galilee, and the mother of Jesus was there.²Jesus also was invited to the wedding with his disciples.³When the wine ran out, the mother of Jesus said to him, "They have no wine."⁴And Jesus said to her, "Woman, what does this have to do with me? My hour has not yet come."⁵His mother said to the servants, "Do whatever he tells you."⁶Now there were six stone water jars there for the Jewish rites of purification, each holding twenty or thirty gallons.⁷Jesus said to the servants, "Fill the jars with water." And they filled them up to the brim.⁸And he said to them, "Now draw some out and take it to the master of the feast." So they took it.⁹When 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 bridegroom¹⁰and 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."¹¹This, the first of his signs, Jesus did at Cana in Galilee, and manifested his glory. And his disciples believed in him.¹²After this he went down to Capernaum, with his mother and his brothers and his disciples, and they stayed there for a few 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.