2nd Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year C) – 19th January 2025

Quick Glance Summary

Theme: The abundant grace and generosity of Christ.

Key Message: Jesus begins His public ministry with the first of His signs, revealing His glory and the transformative power of His presence.

• First Reading (Isaiah 62:1–5): The prophet reaffirms God’s joy in His people. His love is like the bond of marriage renewed through surmounting difficult experiences
• Psalm (Psalm 95[96]): A joyful response to God’s wonders and God’s help.
• Second Reading (1 Corinthians 12:4–11): St Paul teaches that the Holy Spirit bestows diverse gifts to be used in the service of the common good of the community.
• Gospel (John 2:1–11): The best wine at the wedding feast of Cana came through God’s action in Jesus. What seems like a disaster becomes a place for the rescuing power of God.

Gospel: John 2:1–11

Liturgical Title: 2nd Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year C) – 19th January 2025

"There was a wedding at Cana in Galilee. The mother of Jesus was there, and Jesus and his disciples had also been invited. When they ran out of wine, the mother of Jesus said to him, ‘They have no wine.’ Jesus said, ‘Woman, why turn to me? My hour has not come yet.’ His mother said to the servants, ‘Do whatever he tells you.’

There were six stone water jars standing there, meant for the ablutions that are customary among the Jews: each could hold twenty or thirty gallons. Jesus said to the servants, ‘Fill the jars with water,’ and they filled them to the brim. ‘Draw some out now,’ he told them, ‘and take it to the steward.’ They did this; the steward tasted the water, and it had turned into wine. Having no idea where it came from—though the servants who had drawn the water knew—the steward called the bridegroom and said: ‘People generally serve the best wine first, and keep the cheaper sort till the guests have had plenty to drink; but you have kept the best wine till now.’

This was the first of the signs given by Jesus: it was at Cana in Galilee. He let his glory be seen, and his disciples believed in him."

Overview of the Gospel

This passage marks the beginning of Jesus’ public ministry. At the request of His mother, Jesus performs His first sign, turning water into wine at a wedding feast. This miracle not only demonstrates His divine power but also signifies the abundance of God’s grace and the joy of His Kingdom. The transformation of water into wine prefigures the Eucharist, where ordinary elements become extraordinary means of grace. Jesus’ actions reveal His glory and lead His disciples to a deeper faith in Him.

Connecting the Gospel to Today’s Context

The culture of today is a culture of total reliance on human power, human ingenuity, human effort, human knowledge, and even of human exploitation of others in the service of oneself. When disaster strikes, there is nowhere to turn. To use the image of the Gospel: the wine runs out. The Christian sees the world in more than its own terms, in more than our terms and our efforts. The Christian sees the world at ultimately a place of God. The Christian sees a depth in the world that is choked off by turning away from religious practice, and closed off by agnosticism or atheism. Mary’s words: Do whatever he tells you. These words invite us to step aside from our culture of self-reliance and individualism and to practice trust in God’s guidance and providence. 

Today’s Gospel invites us to look back over our lives to see the times when things were transformed, when new possibilities emerged after we had given up hope and effort. As Jesus turned water into wine, today’s readings invite us to believe that God can transform dire situations from ‘lost’ to ‘found’. The wedding setting is not just about the couple: it is about us. God’s relationship to us is one with all the unshakeable depth and passion of the best of married love. The hiddenness of Christ’s action: For the guest at the wedding feast, things proceeded without a hitch. God’s action in life is often ‘hidden’ in plain sight. A culture that does not look for (or refuses to look for) God’s action neither expects nor sees it.

The quantity of wine: The six stone water jars filled to the brim with thirty gallons amounts to over a thousand bottles of wine, when one does the calculations. If anything was to be remembered, it had to be the sheer and staggering abundance, reflecting the generosity of God’s love. The world view of modern culture initially confined God to the ‘unexplainable’ but then dismissed God altogether, devaluing those who have such faith. To accept faith is also to discover a hope that today’s world does not give: we are much more beloved of God that we can imagine, regardless of anything, just as the ancient people of the Holy Land in exile were more beloved of God than they ever expected. 

Reflection Questions and Responses

1. Who or what groups might find these readings especially helpful?

• Married couples and families: The Gospel celebrates the sanctity of marriage and the presence of Christ in family life.
• Those feeling a lack of joy or hope: The image of water turned into wine reminds us that God’s grace brings renewal and joy.
• Parish communities: The second reading emphasises the value of diverse gifts in building up the Church.
• Those discerning their calling: Mary’s words, “Do whatever He tells you,” encourage obedience and trust in God’s will.

2. What human weaknesses do they address, and what virtues do they aim to strengthen?

• Weaknesses: Fear of inadequacy, mistrust, and spiritual complacency. The Gospel challenges us to trust in God’s providence and recognise His power at work.
• Virtues: Faith, generosity, and attentiveness. These readings inspire us to respond to God’s call with confidence and to use our gifts for the good of others.

3. What is the feeling tone of each reading?

• Isaiah: Joyful and celebratory, as God delights in His people.
• Psalm: Exuberant and worshipful, inviting all nations to glorify God.
• 1 Corinthians: Encouraging and affirming, emphasising the Spirit’s gifts for the common good.
• Gospel: Hopeful and awe-inspiring, as Jesus’ glory is revealed through a miraculous sign.

4. Which saints or well-known figures exemplify the message of these readings?

• St Mary: Her faith and intercession at Cana serve as a model of trust and discipleship.
• St John Paul II: His teaching on the theology of the body reflects the sacredness of marriage and God’s abundance in human relationships.
• Blessed Solanus Casey: Known for trusting in God’s providence and encouraging others to “thank God ahead of time.”

5. What works of art, poems, or pieces of music provide insight into the message?

• Art: Paolo Veronese’s The Wedding at Cana depicts the grandeur and significance of Christ’s first miracle.
• Music: Bach’s Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring conveys the joy of Christ’s presence.
• Poetry: Gerard Manley Hopkins’ God’s Grandeur reflects God’s transformative power and presence in the world.

6. Where has the message of these readings been true in my life or those close to me, and is there a story I can share about that? Reflect on a time when God provided abundantly in a moment of need—perhaps in a difficult family situation, a parish event, or a moment of personal struggle. Share how trusting in Christ’s presence and bringing concerns to Him led to transformation and renewal.