The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today invite us to embrace a life of openness and generosity as a visible sign of the triumph of fullness of life over the banality of evil.
The reading from the First Letter of John calls for faith in Him who is true.
* [5:13–21] As children of God we have confidence in prayer because of our intimate relationship with him (1 Jn 5:14–15). In love, we pray (1 Jn 5:16–17) for those who are in sin, but not in deadly sin (literally, “sin unto death”), probably referring to apostasy or activities brought on under the antichrist; cf. Mk 3:29; Heb 6:4–6; 10:26–31. Even in the latter case, however, prayer, while not enjoined, is not forbidden. The letter concludes with a summary of the themes of the letter (1 Jn 5:18–20). There is a sharp antithesis between the children of God and those belonging to the world and to the evil one. The Son reveals the God of truth; Christians dwell in the true God, in his Son, and have eternal life. The final verse (1 Jn 5:21) voices a perennial warning about idols, any type of rival to God. (1 John, CHAPTER 5, n.d.)
Psalm 149 is praise for God’s Goodness to Israel.
* [Psalm 149] A hymn inviting the people of Israel to celebrate their God in song and festive dance (Ps 149:1–3, 5) because God has chosen them and given them victory (Ps 149:4). The exodus and conquest are the defining acts of Israel; the people must be ready to do again those acts in the future at the divine command (Ps 149:6–9). (Psalms, PSALM 149, n.d.)
The Gospel of John presents the sign at the Wedding at Cana.
* [2:1–11] The first sign. This story of replacement of Jewish ceremonial washings (Jn 2:6) presents the initial revelation about Jesus at the outset of his ministry. He manifests his glory; the disciples believe. There is no synoptic parallel.
* [2:1] Cana: unknown from the Old Testament. The mother of Jesus: she is never named in John. (John, CHAPTER 2, n.d.)
Nicky Santos, S.J. realizes that the wine-making as well as the stone jars and other details can distract us from perhaps some of the central messages of the reading.
If we view this reading through the lens of John’s overall message, which is God’s love for us as revealed in Jesus, a message that we can draw is that of God’s abundant grace. During the Christmas season as we remember the incarnation, we are reminded of the love that God has for us, a love that has no limits, no boundaries. Whenever we feel down, depressed, unworthy or unloved it is worth reminding ourselves of this abundant love that is freely given to us. May the experience of this love fill us with gratitude and the willingness to be channels of it in our world, that so desperately needs it. (Santos, 2023)
Don Schwager quotes “Jesus' first miracle manifests the King of Glory,” by Bede the Venerable, 672-735 A.D.
"'By this sign he made manifest that he was the King of glory (Psalm 24:10), and so the church's bridegroom. He came to the marriage as a common human being, but as Lord of heaven and earth he could convert the elements as he wished. How beautifully appropriate it is that when he began the signs that he would show to mortals while he was still mortal he turned water into wine. [But] when he had become immortal through his resurrection, he began the signs that he would show only to those who were pursuing the goal of immortal life... Therefore, let us love with our whole mind, dearly beloved, the marriage of Christ and the church, which was prefigured then in one city and is now celebrated over the whole earth." (excerpt from HOMILIES ON THE GOSPELS 1.14) (Schwager, n.d.)
The Word Among Us Meditation on John 2:1-11 comments that this miracle was just the beginning of the disciples’ journey of faith in the Lord. And just as it happened for them, God wants our faith in him to continue to change and grow as we spend time with him. He wants to convince us more and more deeply that love is at the heart of his mission—a love even stronger than the love between a husband and wife on their wedding day.
You might be like the disciples in today’s passage, just starting your journey of faith. Or maybe you have been following Jesus for a long time. Either way, know that God has more that he wants to give you: more love, more grace, more revelation, more of everything! There is no end to Jesus’ ability to draw you closer to him.
“Jesus, thank you for giving me the new wine of your love!” (Meditation on John 2:1-11, n.d.)
Friar Jude Winkler discusses the call for prayer in the very dualistic First Letter of John mentioning that those people who belong to the Evil One are already dead. God responds to our prayer with that which is most loving. The deep symbolism in the account of the almost perfect Wedding Feast at Cana connects Jesus' action to His hour of glory on the Cross and the wedding, organized by the Queen Mother, of the Messiah to Israel.
Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, shares “God of the Great Gaze,” prayer from Prophets Then, Prophets Now, conference, July 2006, at the Center for Action and Contemplation. We ask for the courage for each of us to approach the prophetic path, today and in the days to come.
God of the Great Gaze,
We humans prefer satisfying un-truth to
The Truth that is usually unsatisfying.
Truth is always too big for us,
And we are so small and afraid.
So You send us prophets and Truth speakers
To open our eyes and ears to Your Big Picture.
Show us how to hear them, how to support them,
And how to interpret their wisdom.
Help us to trust that Your prophetic voice
May also be communicated through our words and actions.
May we practice a spirit of discernment
And a stance of humility,
So that Your Truth be spoken, not our own.
We ask this in the name of Jesus the Prophet,
Whom we also killed and will always kill
In the name of our little truths.
Help us, for we desire to share in Your Great Gaze. Amen. (Rohr, n.d.)
We ponder the signs of Love in our life experience as we pray to be open to the opportunities on our journey to deepen our commitment to care.
References
John, CHAPTER 2. (n.d.). USCCB. Retrieved January 7, 2023, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/john/2?1
Meditation on John 2:1-11. (n.d.). The Word Among Us: Homepage. Retrieved January 7, 2023, from https://wau.org/meditations/2023/01/07/577418/
1 John, CHAPTER 5. (n.d.). USCCB. Retrieved January 7, 2023, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/1john/5?14
Psalms, PSALM 149. (n.d.). USCCB. Retrieved January 7, 2023, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/149?1
Rohr, R. (n.d.). The Prophetic Path: Weekly Summary. Daily Meditations Archive: 2023. Retrieved January 7, 2023, from https://cac.org/daily-meditations/the-prophetic-path-weekly-summary-2023-01-07/
Santos, N. (2023, January 6). Creighton U. Daily Reflection. Online Ministries. Retrieved January 7, 2023, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/010723.html
Schwager, D. (n.d.). Jesus Manifested His Glory at Cana. Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations – Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved January 7, 2023, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/?ds_year=2023&date=jan7
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