Second Sunday in Ordinary Time .Isaiah 62:1-5;Psalm 96; Cor.12:4-11; John 2:1-11
Isaiah compares God’s love for us to the gift of marriage. “As a young man marries a virgin, your Builder shall marry you; and as a bridegroom rejoices in his bride, so shall your God rejoice in you.” What a powerful image of the intimate relationship God wants to have with us. In reverse it can said that is the kind of love we should have for God and our neighbor. The spousal love that will sacrifice all for the beloved. As the marital relationship ages it should grow deeper and stronger, though many things war against its success. Watchfulness and attentiveness to the daily things that chew at the relationship can be exhausting but rewarding when forgiveness and care is expressed. We are sinners, so it is expected that the honeymoon will not last forever, unless we put in the time and effort to minimize the stressful moments.
So it is with our relationship with God. We will stray away from our commitment to God, just as it can happen in marriage. We can be distracted by the cares and worries of each day and forget that we have a partner to share the burden. It takes effort to remain faithful and loving in spite of the hard times and always turn back to the center of the relationship. Our spiritual life is part of the “whole” of us, not some vague thing to which we occasionally pay attention or think about on Sunday. Everyday in every way our spiritual life is affected by our attitudes and actions. We become crippled when we compartmentalize our lives into separate segments of being. So, celebrate your anniversary of love with God each and every day.
In Paul’s Letter to the Corinthians he reminds us that we each have received a gift from the Holy Spirit. “To each individual the manifestation of the Spirit is given for some benefit.” It is up to us to discern what that gift is – teaching, preaching, healing, listening, encouraging, engaging in justice, manifesting unconditional love and the list extends in wonderful ways.
“Water into wine,” the first great public act of Jesus at the prompting of his Mother Mary. Never underestimate the power of a mother. The Wedding feast at Cana is such a marvelous story, which shows the humanity and divinity of Jesus. Again, the image of marriage shows brightly in God’s action. He wanted the life of this young couple to be successful, just as he desires all relationships to be holy and loving.
In 1871 on January 17 Our Lady of Hope appeared to four children in Pontmain, France. She was dressed in a dark blue gown, studded with gold stars, a black veil with a gold crown and a red crucifix in her hands to ask for prayers to her Son, Jesus. In the 1960’s Francois LePelch, a French American, decided to carve a statue of Mary out of a tree trunk 52 inches high, because of his great love of Mary and in thanksgiving for miraculous cures in his family. When he came to carve the hands, he was unable to do so. He and his wife prayed to Mary for help. They heard a voice say, “Our Lady of Hope.” His wife quickly looked up the story and they saw the crucifix in her hands. Thus, he carved Our Lady of Hope of America with a crucifix in her hands, though she appears differently because of his original carving. It was approved in 1996 by the Pope.
On Friday St. Agnes, virgin and martyr, died in the third century. She was around 13, when one of her suitors, who was angry that she would not accept his proposal, reported her as a Christian to the authorities. Legend says that when confined to a brothel, a man looked upon her lustfully and was blinded. Agnes’ prayers restored his sight. Constantine built a church in her honor.
Day of Prayer for the Legal Protection of Unborn Children occurs on Saturday, January 22. Let us pray for all Pro Life issues: the protection of children separated from their parents at the border, those who are verbally and physically abused, the elderly and all people who are treated unjustly.
Monday honors Martin Luther King, Jr. Let us pray for racial justice for all. In filling out forms I now refuse to identify myself by my color or I put I am a European American. People should not have to identify themselves by their color or nationality, unless they wish to do so. This should not be grounds for jobs, benefits, admissions or anything else. Let us rejoice in the gift of our diversity.
“I watch what I am doing to see what I believe.” (Sister Helen Prejean) I recently read this in our religious community’s newsletter, “Justice & Peace.”
May you be blessed with goodness and joy,
Sister Rosemarie Goins, a Felician Franciscan Sister