Daily Readings - Sun Jan 19 2025
Isaiah
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
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
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
The readings today invite us to reflect on the themes of hope, unity, and the presence of God in our lives. In the first reading from Isaiah, we hear a beautiful vision of restoration and renewal. Zion, once forsaken, is now called by a new name, and her land, once desolate, is inhabited and fruitful. This passage speaks of God’s delight in His people and His commitment to bring light and joy where there was once darkness and abandonment. It is a message of hope, reminding us that even in times of trial, God’s plan for us is one of love and transformation.
The second reading from 1 Corinthians emphasizes the diversity of spiritual gifts within the Church. Paul reminds us that while the gifts may differ, they all come from the same Spirit and are meant to serve the common good. This passage calls us to unity and collaboration, recognizing that each person has a unique role to play in the Body of Christ. Just as the Spirit distributes gifts according to His will, we are invited to use our talents and abilities to build up the community and glorify God.
In the Gospel, we witness the first public sign of Jesus’ ministry at the wedding in Cana. When the wine runs out, Mary’s intercession leads Jesus to perform a miraculous act, turning water into wine. This story highlights the importance of faith and obedience. Mary’s trust in her Son and the servants’ willingness to do as Jesus instructed made the miracle possible. It also reveals the abundance of God’s grace, as the best wine is saved for last. Like the wedding guests, we are called to recognize and celebrate the presence of God in our lives, even in the most ordinary moments.
These readings remind us that God’s presence is transformative and that His plan for us is always one of love and renewal. As we go about our daily lives, let us strive to recognize the ways in which God is at work, to use our gifts for the good of others, and to trust in His providence, even when the path ahead seems uncertain. May we, like Mary, have the courage to bring our needs to Jesus and, like the servants, be willing to do His will. In doing so, we will experience the joy and abundance that only God can provide.