Daily Readings - Sun Jan 16 2022

¹For Zion's sake I will not keep silent, for Jerusalem's sake I will not remain quiet, till her righteousness shines out like the dawn, her salvation like a blazing torch.²The nations will see your righteousness, and all kings your glory; you will be called by a new name that the mouth of the LORD will bestow.³You will be a crown of splendor in the LORD's hand, a royal diadem in the hand of your God.⁴No longer will they call you Deserted, or name your land Desolate. But you will be called Hephzibah, and your land Beulah; for the LORD will take delight in you, and your land will be married.⁵As a young man marries a maiden, so will your sons marry you; as a bridegroom rejoices over his bride, so will your God rejoice over you.

1 Corinthians

Chapter 12

⁴There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit.⁵There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord.⁶There are different kinds of working, but the same God works all of them in all men.⁷Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good.⁸To one there is given through the Spirit the message of wisdom, to another the message of knowledge by means of the same Spirit,⁹to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by that one Spirit,¹⁰to another miraculous powers, to another prophecy, to another distinguishing between spirits, to another speaking in different kinds of tongues, and to still another the interpretation of tongues.¹¹All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and he gives them to each one, just as he determines.

John

Chapter 2

¹On the third day a wedding took place at Cana in Galilee. Jesus' mother was there,²and Jesus and his disciples had also been invited to the wedding.³When the wine was gone, Jesus' mother said to him, "They have no more wine."⁴"Dear woman, why do you involve me?" Jesus replied, "My time has not yet come."⁵His mother said to the servants, "Do whatever he tells you."⁶Nearby stood six stone water jars, the kind used by the Jews for ceremonial washing, each holding from twenty to thirty gallons.⁷Jesus said to the servants, "Fill the jars with water"; so they filled them to the brim.⁸Then he told them, "Now draw some out and take it to the master of the banquet."⁹They did so, and the master of the banquet tasted the water that had been turned into wine. He did not realize where it had come from, though the servants who had drawn the water knew. Then he called the bridegroom aside¹⁰and said, "Everyone brings out the choice wine first and then the cheaper wine after the guests have had too much to drink; but you have saved the best till now."¹¹This, the first of his miraculous signs, Jesus performed in Cana of Galilee. He thus revealed his glory, and his disciples put their faith in him.¹²After this he went down to Capernaum with his mother and brothers and his disciples. There they stayed for a few 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.