Daily Marriage Tip for January 20, 2013:
“There are different spiritual gifts but the same Spirit.” (1 Cor. 12) Which gift does your beloved have in a special way: wisdom, knowledge (of how to fix things), faith, the ability to heal, industriousness, intuition, decision making skills, communication?
Scr
ipture StudySecond Sunday in Ordinary Time—Cycle C
Opening prayer
Isaiah 62:1-5
(Psalm 96:1-3, 7-10) 1 Corinthians 12:4-11 John 2:1-11Overview of the Gospel:
•
In this Sunday’s Gospel reading, Jesus, his Mother and some of his disciples are invited to a wedding in Cana, a small village 4-5 miles from Jesus’ hometown of Nazareth. Wedding feasts at the time could last more than a week (Judges 14:10-12). The time is right after his baptism (which we celebrated last week), but before he begins his public ministry.•
(Note: in the West, we celebrated the Feast of the Epiphany and the visit of the Magi 2 weeks ago and the Baptism of the Lord last week. In the Eastern Church, Epiphany often includes those two events, as well as today’s Gospel reading, the Wedding at Cana. All three events are seen as being an epiphany—or “unveiling”—of Jesus to the world. The appearance of Jesus in Galilee also marks the beginning of God’s promise to restore and bring glory to his people, Israel—see the First Reading.)•
Mary (who is never mentioned by name in John’s Gospel) brings it to Jesus’ attention that the wine has run out—a situation that would be an immense source of embarrassment for the newlywed couple and their families.•
Even though Mary does not specifically make a request for Jesus to intervene, he knows what she is asking. He also knows that performing this miracle in public will make it necessary to begin his ministry and his journey toward the Cross.Questions:
•
Jesus is not yet known as a miracle worker, so why does Mary approach him (verse 3)? What do you learn about Jesus’ relationship with his Mother from this story?•
How does Jesus’ use of the word “woman” (v. 3) point to a parallel between Eve and Mary (Genesis 3:15; John 19:26-27; Revelation 12:1-6, 13-14)? Should it be seen as a sign of disrespect—or a sign of honor and election?•
What associations might be attached to the headwaiters expression “the good wine” in verse 10 (Isaiah 25:6; Amos 9:13; John 6:53; 1 Corinthians 10:16; Revelation 19:7-9)?•
This “sign” (verse 11) is the first of seven that will be highlighted in John’s Gospel (see Introduction to John in the NAB). What “sign” led you (or is leading you) to put your faith in Jesus?•
How unconditionally do you do whatever Jesus tells you to do (verse 5)? Do you ever try to place limits on what he can tell you to do? What spiritual gifts has he given to you and to those around you to help carry out his will (see Second Reading)?Catechism of the Catholic Church: §§ 486, 495, 969, 1335, 1613, 2618
Closing prayer
When our hands have touched spices, they give fragrance to all they handle. Let us make our prayers pass through the hands of the Blessed Virgin. She will make them fragrant.
-St. John Vianney