Sharing of life: Do you have a particular hope or dream for this New Year?
Facilitator reads focus statement: The first and third readings use marital images to describe God's relationship with his people. The second reading speaks about the gifts of the Holy Spirit.
Now read the readings, pausing briefly after each one. Consider reading the commentary after each reading, if you have not already done so.
FIRST READING: Isaiah 62:1-5
These verses from the third section of Isaiah (Chs. 56-66) were written during the turbulent years after Israel's return from exile in Babylon. The prophet seeks to reassure the people that God has not forgotten them even though they were very disloyal to him. The reading opens with God's inability to be silent in the face of Israel's misfortune: "For Zion's sake, I will not be silent". During her exile, Israel felt "Forsaken" and "Desolate". Nations that held Israel in contempt would witness the restoration of her status. Yahweh, Israel's husband, was coming to reclaim his disloyal bride. There would be a new beginning; a new marriage symbolized by a new name "My Delight". A second sign of the new beginning is the promise of reconstruction of the land, which will now be called "Espoused". Forgiven and rehabilitated, Israel will be restored to its status as the "espoused and beloved" of God. The God who called us into being offers us a new beginning whenever we call upon him.
RESPONSORIAL PSALM 96
This psalm calls for praise and thanks on the lips of those who have experienced firsthand the saving deeds of Israel.
SECOND READING: 1 Corinthians 12:4-11
For the next six Sundays, the second reading will be from Paul's first letter to the Corinthians. For the next three Sundays, Paul will speak about the gifts of the Holy Spirit.
In these verses, Paul is addressing difficulties that have arisen in the community over the exercise of the charismatic gifts. Arrogance and competition over the gifts are threatening to divide the community. Paul reminds his readers of two important facts concerning these wonderful gifts of the Spirit. First, all these gifts are graces from God. They did nothing to earn or deserve them. Second, the gifts were not given so that individuals might think that they were superior to others. Rather, they were given so that the community would be blessed.
GOSPEL: John 2:1-11
In John's Gospel, miracles are signs intended to manifest the glory of God through Jesus and to lead people to faith. Towards the end of today's Gospel, we read these words, "thus did he reveal his glory, and his disciples believed in him." Jesus uses a simple wedding occasion to reveal himself as the bridegroom Israel had waited for, for hundreds of years.
A central theme in John's Gospel is what scholars call John's replacement theology. John presents Jesus as the one who replaces Jewish customs, rituals and feasts with himself. Previously used as a means to holiness, these customs and rituals are now replaced by Jesus himself whose teaching, death and resurrection saves us and offers us new life.
"My hour has not yet come" is a reference to Jesus' death and resurrection. The "abundance of wine" is a reference to the abundance of new life, which Jesus brings, and the wine of the Eucharist, which symbolizes the new covenant.
Also, in his Gospel, John shows Mary as involved at the beginning of Jesus' ministry, and again at the end of it when she is present at the foot of the cross. Notice how Mary does not draw attention to herself. Rather, she tells the waiters to "do whatever Jesus tells you to do". The essence of faithful discipleship is doing whatever Jesus tells us to do. When it comes to faithful discipleship, Mary is our model. In calling Mary "woman", Jesus is not showing his mother disrespect. The title "woman" is akin to our word "madam" or "ma'am".
FAITH SHARING QUESTIONS
1. In the first reading, God speaks of Israel as "Forsaken" and "Desolate". Can you remember a time when you felt "forsaken" by God and "desolate" because of some bad experience?
2. The first reading also says that the "Lord delights in Israel his spouse". Do you ever have a sense that the Lord delights in you? Explain.
3. The second reading speaks about the gifts of the Holy Spirit. How has the Holy Spirit gifted you and your parish?
4. Our first and third readings use marital images to speak of our relationship with God. Most of us may often think of ourselves as married to God. If we did, how might that impact our relationship with him?
5. The Gospel is a powerful example of Mary's intercessory role before the throne of God. How real is this Marian role in your spirituality?
RESPONDING TO THE WORD
Name one way you can act on today's readings. Suggestions: Spend time meditating on the belief, "God is my spouse and I am his beloved". Share the good wine of your companionship with someone who is lonely. Often ask God to bless and make fruitful the gifts he has given you.
CONCLUDE WITH PRAYERS OF PETITION AND INTERCESSION
Pray for all whose "wine has run out". Pray for the grace to recognize your gifts and use them to benefit the community. Pray for newlyweds and those in struggling marriages. ©