Jesus’ first miracle—Jesus turns water into wine,

 he could make something good out of the bad.

 

　＊＊＊ 1st Reading ＊＊＊

 Isaiah 62:1-5

 For Zion’s sake I will not hold my peace, 

For Jerusalem I will not keep silent, until her holiness shines like the dawn and her salvation flames like a burning torch.  The nations will see your holiness and all the kings your glory.

You will be called by a new name which the mouth of Yahweh will reveal.  You will be a crown of glory in the hand of Yahweh, a royal diadem in the hand of your God.

 No longer will you be named Forsaken; no longer will your land be called Abandoned; but you will be called My Delight and your land Espoused.

For Yahweh delights in you and will make your land his spouse.  As a young man marries a virgin, so will your builder marry you; and as a bridegroom rejoices in his bride,

so will your God rejoice in you.

 

Ps 96:1-2, 2-3, 7-8, 9-10

Proclaim his marvelous deeds to all the nations.

   

＊＊＊ 2nd Reading ＊＊＊

1 Corinthians 12:4-11

 There is diversity of gifts, but the Spirit is the same.   There is diversity of ministries, but the Lord is the same.   There is diversity of works, but the same God works in all.  The Spirit reveals his presence in each one with a gift that is also a service.   

One is to speak with wisdom, through the Spirit. Another teaches according to the same Spirit.  To another is given faith, in which the Spirit acts; to another the gift of healing, and it is the same Spirit.  

Another works miracles, another is a prophet, another recognizes what comes from the good or evil spirit; another speaks in tongues, and still another interprets what has been said in tongues.   And all of this is the work of the one and only Spirit, who gives to each one as he so desires.

 

＊＊＊＊ Gospel ＊＊＊＊  

John 2:1-11

 Three days later there was a wed­ding at Cana in Galilee and the mother of Jesus was there.   Jesus was also invited to the wedding with his disciples.   When all the wine provided for the celebration had been served and they had run out of wine, the mother of Jesus said to him, “They have no wine.”   Jesus replied, “Wom­an, what concern is that to you and me? My hour has not yet come.”

 However his mother said to the servants, “Do whatever he tells you.”  Nearby were six stone water jars meant for the ritual washing as practiced by the Jews; each jar could hold twenty or thirty gallons.   Jesus said to the servants, “Fill the jars with water.” And they filled them to the brim.   Then Jesus said, “Now draw some out and take it to the steward.” So they did.

 The steward tasted the water that had be­come wine, without knowing from where it had come; for only the servants who had drawn the water knew. So, he called the bride­­groom   to tell him, “Everyone serves the best wine first and when people have drunk enough, he serves that which is ordinary. ­Instead you have kept the best wine until the end.”

 This miraculous sign was the first, and Jesus performed it at Cana in Galilee. In this way he let his Glory appear and his disciples believed in him.

 

 Does Your Dance?

Read:

God delights in his people as a groom delights in his bride, says Isaiah. God adorns us with various gifts and fruits of the Holy Spirit. Jesus performs his first miracle at the wedding at Cana.

Reflect:

In Roger Young’s movie Jesus, Jesus is delightfully dancing at the wedding at Cana. Disciple Andrew is furious as he thinks that Jesus has no interest in the urgent matters of his suffering people.

So Jesus asks him: “What’s the matter, Andrew? You don’t dance?” Andrew retorts:”I will dance when Israel is free and men are honest.” Jesus responds laughingly, “﹝It﹞will be a very slow dance.”

There is much suffering, poverty, and injustice in the world. Our passion to change matters overnight may lead us to a tunnel vision fixated on only the dark and the negative. Life, with all its shadow and pains, has its beauty and goodness.

We shall not miss such moments as well. As Isaiah reminds us, God delights in us, despite all our shortcomings. It is good to recall this prayer attributed to St. Teresa of Avila: “From silly devotions and sour-faced saints, good Lord, deliver us.” Amen.

Pray:

“Lord, teach me to delight in the goodness of life.”

Act:

Enjoy some holy moments of laughter with your family/community today.