Homily for the 2nd Sunday in Ordinary Time Year C
Theme: The power of intercession
By: Fr. Vic Buyser
Texts:
Is. 62:1-5
1Cor. 12:4-11
Jn. 2:1-12
Welcome, my sisters and brothers in Christ, to the celebration of the Holy Eucharist. We begin the Ordinary Sundays in the liturgical calendar of the church. Today is the Second Sunday in Ordinary Time.
The Readings:
In the first reading, Isaiah described the image of Israel as the bride of Yahweh. The reading reminds us about the intimacy of God with humanity. In the second reading, Paul explained the meaning of the different gifts of the Holy Spirit. The reading challenges us to use these graces acquired during Baptism for the good of the kingdom. In the gospel, John presented the wedding feast at Cana as a manifestation of the light and glory of God. Mary became the symbol of the believers who expressed their faith in Christ. For John, Jesus is the new wine that brings with it the splendor of divinity. He inspired the community to put their trust in Jesus as the messiah and to emulate the conviction of Mary in doing the will of the Father.
The Reflection:
The intervention of Mary during the wedding revealed the power of her motherly intercession. Mary knows very well the crisis that oftentimes assails us. She assists us and leads us to Jesus so that we may be able to experience the providence of God. We must emulate Mary’s devotion and integrate it in our daily life and activity.
How do you put into practice the word of God in your life? How do you participate in the on-going intervention of God in the world today?
The Testimony:
Weddings are joyful events for everyone, but this is especially true for the couples involved. My parents celebrated their Golden Anniversary on July 19, 2001, and they even received the Papal Blessing from St. Pope John Paul II himself. Before the ceremony, though, there were feelings of fear and apprehension on problems such as where to get the money, what food to prepare, what clothes to wear, who will take charge of this and that, and so on.