​Second Sunday Ordinary Time. Year C - Sunday, January 16, 2022 (EPISODE: 345)

Second Sunday Ordinary Time. Year C - Sunday, January 16, 2022
(EPISODE: 345)

Readings for Sunday, January 16, 2022 - Second Sunday Ordinary Time. Year C
FIRST READING: Isaiah 62:1-5
Psalm 96:1-2, 3-4, 7-8, 9-10ac. "Proclaim his marvellous deeds to all the nations."
SECOND READING: 1 Corinthians 12:4-11
GOSPEL ACCLAMATION (cf. 2 Thessalonians 2:14). Alleluia, alleluia! God has called us with the Gospel, to share in the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.
GOSPEL: John 2:1-12

(Image Credit:  Shutterstock licensed image. Id: 1212389845 - Biblical vector illustration series, Jesus turns water into wine - Contributor- rudall30)
++++
Please listen to the audio recordings of the Mass – (Readings, prayers and homily), for Second Sunday Ordinary Time. Year C - Sunday, January 16, 2022, by clicking this link here: https://soundcloud.com/user-633212303/faith-hope-and-love-second-sunday-of-ordinary-time-year-c-episode-345?si=3290e6f42ad64459901fdaf825060c86&utm_source=clipboard&utm_medium=text&utm_campaign=social_sharing  (EPISODE: 345)
+++++
*Prologue (Fr Paul Kelly)
Christ's ministry was an extensive one; his mission was all-encompassing.
 
Its final focus would be nothing less than the fulfilment of his mission through something he described as his great and ultimate "Hour" or "Time" when he as the sacrificial Lamb of God would offer his very self for the life of the world.
 
Christ's great message is that God leaves the best for last, and the good news is: IN THE END, God will be utterly faithful to us and fulfil EVERY ONE of his promises to us. Everything about God, and Christ's earthly life and mission and his suffering, death and resurrection, is TOP Shelf.  No half-baked quality here, but the best of everything for us.
 
At the very outset of his public ministry, Mary his beloved mother asks Our Lord to help a wedding couple in a socially embarrassing situation at their wedding reception. Christ turns this simple act of kindness into a SIGN of the Kingdom and a sign of the meaning of his ministry, which is to provide the best wine of mercy, compassion, inclusion, charity and heartfelt invitation into the Banquet feast of the kingdom.
 
Jesus is surely asking this question of his Mother in an ironic way?  "Why turn to me? My hour has not yet come to provide the Best wine of the Wedding Feast of the Kingdom of God, where I will be the Bridegroom and the People of God will be the Bride." Of course, he immediately helps and uses this incident as a foretaste of what is to come. And what a beautiful foretaste it is.
 
If this is just a sample of the Kingdom, then our minds are truly blown. And astounded we should be. This is the richness, the graciousness the absolute "non-stingy fullness" that God operates out of all the time. This is what we are invited into.
 
This gospel would have to be one of the most delightful and profound of passages. It has so many levels and is rich in symbolism.  You can tell from the subtle difference between what is said and what is done, that the translation of this particular incident is complicated and our traditional translations do not quite capture the full picture of what is going on here.
 
To expand on the situation, this is probably a more accurate picture of what was going on:   Mary turned to Jesus and said, "They have run out of wine." (This situation would be an intolerable humiliation to this humble village wedding couple and their families, and a terrible failure of the strong traditions of hospitality expected in that time and culture).
 
Mary was clearly feeling the terrible shame occurring for this poor family at the very start of their new life together. It would have ongoing repercussions for this humble bride and groom at the very start of their lives as a family.   Perhaps they could not afford the sufficient amount of wine required.  This can be more effectively rendered as "My Lady, is this the time when I will pour forth the new wine of the Kingdom? Surely this is not THAT time?"  He is being ironic and speaking as a true Prophet.
 
Jesus knows that he has come into this world to usher in the fullness of the Kingdom, and to pour forth the new wine of the covenant sealed in his own blood, poured forth to ransom all. He knew that the new wine of the Kingdom would only come in its fullness when he had suffered and died and rose again.
 
I think Our Lord had a twinkle in his eye (and perhaps even a tear in his eye…  as he noted that this was all ahead of him….  It was all yet to come.  It would mean his complete self-sacrifice and utterly generous offering of absolutely all of himself….  However, this moment at the wedding… would be a little forerunner and sign of the true wine of the Kingdom which is about God's utter faithfulness, God's graciousness and mercy and overflowing and immeasurable generosity….  God's Kingdom of joy, justice and inclusion.  
 
The Virgin Mary knew he was going to do something about this situation, for she knew better than anyone that her son and Our Lord was "graciousness and compassion" personified. Mary trusted in him totally. Mary also surely knew that he was to do greater things in the future, of which this example was only a rich and stunning foretaste…. 
 
It strikes me too, that John the Baptist has been preaching the imminent coming of the Messiah. John the Baptist had warned of a time of God's judgement and retribution. This wedding miracle, however, makes it quite clear, that the Messiah will come not with a big stick of judgement, but with the graciousness, mercy, generosity, compassion, kindness, and the Joy of a time of great Jubilee celebration.  Jesus, the Messiah would characterize the Kingdom of God as a messianic Banquet feast, rather than an apocalyptic time of punishment and judgement and retribution.  Perhaps Jesus reply to Mary (remembering that he was still in the very early days of his ministry), also indicated, "So, is this how it is to be? Not fasting, austerity, punishment and severity, but the overflowing generosity and joy of God's time of favour? So be it then.
 
Let us see already unfolding the outpouring of God's overwhelming generosity. Let us see!  Let us taste!  Fill those stone jars over there, and let us see which it is to be, (For Jesus trusted totally in his Heavenly Father and was utterly obedient to the Father's will, as Mary would certainly have known when she asked the question of Jesus and when she instructed the attendants to obey Jesus' instructions to the letter!).
 
There is something else, too.  This is a profound miracle and a beautiful sign. It is a reminder of God's blessing of marriage, and the gracious generosity of God's love for us, and his joining with us in the joyful and sacred moments of life.  Also, what a wonderful miracle to reveal God's message.     
 
Why did Jesus not reserve this amazing sign for a more so-called "important" event, like a dinner where Herod was present, or where Pontius Pilate was there to be convinced beyond doubt of Jesus' credentials.  But, of course, that is not God's way. That would be human thinking…    
 
God deliberately chose a humble family wedding, in a small and poor village to show the utter fullness of God's glory and graciousness.  God's message is for the poor. God's Kingdom is found in the "every day" and the "ordinary," and the humble shall inherit the Kingdom.  It is also for the ordinary people that Jesus came to bring the Good News, just as much as the high and the mighty.     
 
It also says something about the importance of the ordinary, everyday events of our home life, our work life and our social life.  God's Kingdom is to be encountered just as much in the everyday and ordinary events of life as in the occasional and the extraordinary events that can occur.
 
This wedding feast miracle "brought God right into the home circle and into the ordinary things of life. Jesus' action at Cana of Galilee shows what he really thought of a home. God "manifested his glory," and that showing of his true Glory took place within a home. For God, a humble home is a place where nothing but the very best was good enough. It was where he put his best foot forward.
 
We have already seen that in the East hospitality was always a sacred duty. It would have brought unspeakable embarrassment and shame to that home that day if the wine had run out.  It was to save a humble Galilean family from extreme social humiliation, that Jesus put forth his power. It was in sympathy, in kindness, and in understanding for ordinary humble folk that Jesus always acted.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Homily (Fr Peter Dillon)
Always in John's writings, there are many layers of meaning and symbol. There are probably a dozen or more ways to unpack this particular passage concerning the wedding celebration at Cana. The image of a wedding is frequently used in the First Testament to describe the relationship of God and his people. The changing of water into wine is a symbol of the old order giving way to the new. Mary is involved in the very beginning of Jesus' ministry and again at the end at the foot of the Cross. Her ministry, and ours by association, must always be seen in relation to that of her Son.

However, I might leave discussion of the deeper symbolism to those better equipped than I to deal with them. My interest was sparked by a very prosaic sentence at the very beginning of the passage. They are midway through the wedding celebration and a mother says to her son, 'They have no more wine'. Who could fail to resonate with the scene?

The excitement, the joy, the festivity – suddenly it comes to a halt. The wine runs out. 'The honeymoon is over.'

So many times in our lives do things not go as we had planned.
My new job promised to be an exciting one, but after a while I discovered were long stretches of boredom. The challenge is gone.

   That university or college with the great reputation, the one I worked so hard to gain entry to turned out to be overly bureaucratic and impersonal and my life is little more than an endless series of exams and assignments.

    We were so thrilled to have formed that new and deep friendship, but with time came little misunderstandings, coolness and more infrequent contact.

   The marriage was great at the beginning, it is still sound but somewhere along the line, the wine ran out.

   When a husband died, or a child got sick, the faith that had sustained us through other crises just disappeared.
   In our life as Christians, we were quick to talk to others about hope but when we first plunged into a serious depression or received news that we had a terrible illness, the wine ran out.

I believe that it is precisely at those moments when the wine has run out, that the gospel has a chance to work in our lives. Jesus enters our lives with transforming power. He has the power to draw wine from the bland water that our lives have become. He comes with the message that says, like all good wine, this wine needs time to ferment, to become vintage wine.
       Can I really believe that such a miracle can happen in my life? Even though Jesus performed the miracle, it was not a solo performance. He needed the servants to draw the water and pour it into jugs.

   Not only can Jesus transform the loss, the boredom, the pain, the betrayal, that we feel in our lives; not only can he restore the hope that we once knew, and feel the love that has gone out of our lives; not only can Jesus do this, but he asks us to help with the miracle.

Are we simply to be the recipients of the miracle of hope, or can we also be part of making that miracle happen for others?

Some time ago, the Australian Catholic Bishops Conference released its Social Justice Statement. 'Jesus, Light for the World: Living the Gospel Today. It begins…
It was the fourth last house at the edge of the town as the highway headed south. The family that lived there had small children so there was always a light on somewhere in case one of the little ones was a bit sick or afraid. That practical light brought some calm to the home and a feeling of safety. But it could be seen from outside too. Some nights a stranger in need would call, drawn by the light and thinking if there was a light on then there was someone awake who could help. And the husband and wife would have to wake and decide whether to answer, knowing that the light that kept the children secure had attracted others in distress or possible danger.

Jesus is the light in our lives. He is light for our footsteps and the guide for our path. His light transforms the darkness and emptiness of our lives. In this transformation, we become more alive to the hope and joy in our hearts. Feelings that have often been lost and forgotten but now are recovered.

Others too are attracted to this light. They search for a glimmer of hope in their bleak lives.  Will we cooperate with Christ in the great miracle of transformation?

Is there a way out? Every Christian is called to be a servant. Not just of oneself, not just of one's family and loved ones, not just of one's church, but of all humanity.

The Second Vatican Council's document 'the Church in the Modern World' begins:
The joys and hopes, the grief and anguish of the people of our time, especially those who are poor or afflicted, are the joys and hopes, the grief and anguish of the followers of Christ as well. Nothing that is genuinely human fails to find an echo in their hearts. (para 1)

We are here to tell the whole world: 'there is always more wine'. And the new wine is Christ whom we offer to all.
+++++
References:

prologue by Fr Paul W. Kelly

Homily by fr peter Dillon

THE GOSPEL OF JOHN. Volume 1, (Chapters 1 to 7). REVISED EDITION. Translated with an Introduction  and Interpretation, by WILLIAM BARCLAY. THE WESTMINSTER PRESS, PHILADELPHIA. 1975. 

Image Credit:  Shutterstock licensed image. Id: 1212389845 - Biblical vector illustration series, Jesus turns water into wine - Contributor- rudall30


Second Sunday Ordinary Time. Year C  (Sunday, January 16, 2022) 
(EPISODE: 345))
The Lord be with you.
+++++++++++++
{{Kindness and grace to you all}}

As one family in Christ, let us prepare ourselves to celebrate the sacred mysteries by calling to mind our sins.
Lord Jesus, you have revealed yourself as the way to the Father: Lord, have mercy
You have poured out on your people the Spirit of truth: Christ, have mercy
You are the Good Shepherd, leading us to eternal life: Lord, have mercy.
May almighty God have mercy on us, forgive us our sins, and bring us to everlasting life.  Amen.
+++++++++++++++++++++
Psalm 96:1-2, 3-4, 7-8, 9-10ac. "Proclaim his marvellous deeds to all the nations."

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION (cf. 2 Thessalonians 2:14). Alleluia, alleluia! God has called us with the Gospel, to share in the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Memorial Acclamation
2. When we eat this Bread and drink this Cup, we proclaim your Death, O Lord, until you come again.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++
PREFACE: Sundays I
EP II
Communion side.  pwk:  LH
(theme variation: v7 )
(pre+post variation: v1-long)
++++
{I gratefully acknowledge and give thanks to God for your prayers at this time of prayer and reflection upon our God.}

Go in peace. (glorifying the Lord by your life)

++++++++
Archive of homilies and reflections:  http://homilycatholic.blogspot.com.au
To contact Fr. Paul, please email:  paulwkelly68@gmail.com

To listen to my weekly homily audio podcast, please click this link here.
NB - It is often a week or so Ahead:  https://soundcloud.com/user-633212303/tracks

You are welcome to subscribe to Fr Paul's homily mail-out by sending an email to this address: paulkellyreflections+subscribe@googlegroups.com

Further information relating to the audio productions linked to this Blog:
"Faith, Hope and Love - Christian worship and reflection"  - Led by Rev Paul Kelly

Prayers and chants  — Roman Missal, 3rd edition, © 2010, The International Commission on English in the liturgy. (ICEL)

Scriptures - New Revised Standard Version: © 1989,  and 2009 by the NCC-USA. (National Council of Churches of Christ - USA)

"The Psalms" ©1963, 2009,  The Grail - Collins publishers.

Prayers of the Faithful -   " Together we pray" by Robert Borg'.   E.J. Dwyer, Publishers, (1993) . (Sydney Australia).

Sung "Mass In Honour of St. Ralph Sherwin" -  By Jeffrey M. Ostrowski. The Gloria,  Copyright © 2011 ccwatershed.org.

- "Faith, Hope and Love" theme hymn - in memory of  William John Kelly -     Inspired by 1 Corinthians 13:1-13. Music by Paul W. Kelly. Arranged and sung, with additional lyrics by Stefan Kelk. 2019.

"Quiet Time."  Instrumental Reflection music. Written by Paul W Kelly. 1988, 2007. & This arrangement: Stefan Kelk, 2020.

- "Today I Arise" - For Trisha J Kelly.  Original words and music by Paul W. Kelly. Inspired by St Patrick's Prayer.  Arranged and sung, with additional lyrics by Stefan Kelk. 2019.

Sound Engineering and editing -  P.W. Kelly.

Microphones: -       Shure MV5-USB

Editing equipment:    NCH software - MixPad Multitrack Studio Recording Software
NCH – WavePad Audio Editing Software. Masters Edition v 12.44

Sound Processing:  iZotope RX 6 Audio Editor

[Production -  KER -  2022]
May God bless and keep you.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
[ Production -  KER -  2022]

May God bless and keep you.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++