Reading I
Is 62:1-5
For Zion’s sake I will not be silent,
for Jerusalem’s sake I will not be quiet,
until her vindication shines forth like the dawn
and her victory like a burning torch.
Nations shall behold your vindication,
and all the kings your glory;
you shall be called by a new name
pronounced by the mouth of the LORD.
You shall be a glorious crown in the hand of the LORD,
a royal diadem held by your God.
No more shall people call you “Forsaken, “
or your land “Desolate, “
but you shall be called “My Delight, “
and your land “Espoused.”
For the LORD delights in you
and makes your land his spouse.
As a young man marries a virgin,
your Builder shall marry you;
and as a bridegroom rejoices in his bride
so shall your God rejoice in you.
Reading II
1 Cor 12:4-11
Brothers and sisters:
There are different kinds of spiritual gifts but the same Spirit;
there are different forms of service but the same Lord;
there are different workings but the same God
who produces all of them in everyone.
To each individual the manifestation of the Spirit
is given for some benefit.
To one is given through the Spirit the expression of wisdom;
to another, the expression of knowledge according to the
same Spirit;
to another, faith by the same Spirit;
to another, gifts of healing by the one Spirit;
to another, mighty deeds;
to another, prophecy;
to another, discernment of spirits;
to another, varieties of tongues;
to another, interpretation of tongues.
But one and the same Spirit produces all of these,
distributing them individually to each person as he wishes.
Gospel
Jn 2:1-11
There was a wedding at Cana in Galilee,
and the mother of Jesus was there.
Jesus and his disciples were also invited to the wedding.
When the wine ran short,
the mother of Jesus said to him,
“They have no wine.”
And Jesus said to her,
“Woman, how does your concern affect me?
My hour has not yet come.”
His mother said to the servers,
“Do whatever he tells you.”
Now there were six stone water jars there for Jewish ceremonial washings,
each holding twenty to thirty gallons.
Jesus told them,
“Fill the jars with water.”
So they filled them to the brim.
Then he told them,
“Draw some out now and take it to the headwaiter.”
So they took it.
And when the headwaiter tasted the water that had become wine,
without knowing where it came from
— although the servers who had drawn the water knew —,
the headwaiter called the bridegroom and said to him,
“Everyone serves good wine first,
and then when people have drunk freely, an inferior one;
but you have kept the good wine until now.”
Jesus did this as the beginning of his signs at Cana in Galilee
and so revealed his glory,
and his disciples began to believe in him.
Meditation: John 2:1-11
From an address by Pope John Paul II at the General Audience of Wednesday, February 26, 1997:
In the episode of the wedding at Cana, St. John presents Mary’s first intervention in the public life of Jesus and highlights her cooperation in her son’s mission. The meaning and role of the Blessed Virgin’s presence become evident when the wine runs out.
As a skilled and wise housewife, Mary immediately notices and intervenes so that no one’s joy is marred and, above all, to help the newly married couple in difficulty. Turning to Jesus with the words: “They have no wine” (John 2:3), Mary expresses her concern to him about this situation, expecting him to solve it. More precisely, according to some exegetes, his Mother is expecting an extraordinary sign, since Jesus had no wine at his disposal.
Jesus’ answer, “O woman, what have you to do with me? My hour has not yet come” (John 2:4), appears to express a refusal, as if putting his Mother’s faith to the test. Mary docilely refrains from insisting with him and instead turns to the servants, telling them to obey him.
Her trust in her Son is rewarded. Jesus, whom she has left totally free to act, works the miracle, recognizing his Mother’s courage and docility: “Jesus said to them, ‘Fill the jars with water.’ And they filled them up to the brim” (John 2:7). Thus their obedience also helps to procure wine in abundance.
Mary’s request, “Do whatever he tells you,” … is an exhortation to trust without hesitation, especially when one does not understand the meaning or benefit of what Christ asks. Jesus’ apparent refusal exalts Mary’s faith, so that her Son’s words, “My hour has not yet come,” together with the working of the first miracle, demonstrate the Mother’s great faith and the power of her prayer.
“Mary, we honor you today for your great faith, your surrender to your son, and your humble obedience to the Father. Pray for us, Mary, that our faith will have the same character!”
No comments:
Post a Comment