First Reading: Isaiah 62:1-5/Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 96:1-2a.2b-3.7-8.9-10a and c (R.cf. 3) Second Reading: I Corinthians 12:4-11/Gospel Accl.: cf. II Thess. 2:14/Gospel: John 2:1-11
Theme: The Joy Of The Lord Is Our Strength (cf. Neh. 8:10)
A man had a lot of wealth and power, and was famous for it. In human estimation, there was nothing he did not have – money, food, houses, children, businesses, properties and servants. All these were at his beck and call. Yet, he could not find happiness in his life because he lacked one thing: joy (Greek: chara). All his wealth could not give him joy, because joy is priceless and invaluable. Today, our readings speak about God’s ability to bring us joy and his power to restore it in abundance when it is no longer available. May God’s word bring back our joy in its fullness!
In the first reading, Trito or Third Isaiah (i.e. Isaiah chapters 56-66) tells us comfortingly: “…as the bridegroom rejoices over the bride, so shall your God rejoice over you” (Is. 62:5). The prophet speaks for God assuring his audience thus: “For Zion’s sake I will not keep silent, and for Jerusalem’s sake I will not rest until her vindication goes forth as brightness, and her salvation as a burning torch” (Is. 62:1). This pericope is set in the context of a wedding banquet where God, the Groom, lavishes unbridled love, unquenchable joy and unfading affection on his Bride, Israel, and which by extension, applies to all of us who trust and obey his commandments
We see a similar scenario in today’s Gospel, at a marriage ceremony at Cana in Galilee. A simple couple in a small home in a small village attracts Jesus’ attention. We notice how Jesus is able to bring joy to life situations on the verge of disgrace, collapse and ridicule. We read that, this is the first public miracle performed by Jesus (cf. Jn. 2:11), of which some key features are noteworthy:
- The couple invited Jesus and his disciples. They decided to initiate and build an intimate relationship with Jesus. When we create avenues for divine encounter through a life of prayer and deep, personal and loving relationship with Jesus, miracles abound. When Jesus comes into our lives, he brings joy, quality, freshness, new life and transformation.
- Even in the presence of Christ, their wine which is a symbol of joy got finished. In Jewish custom, there is no joy without wine, since wine gladdens the heart (cf. Ps. 104:15). This was an occasion to open another door when the old one was closed. Hence, the presence of misfortune in our lives does not mean God is absent. Rather, it is a blessing in disguise. It is the catalyst of grace and growth. Therefore, there is opportunity in every calamity. Again, we need to note that each of the six jars contained 20-30 gallons of water; and 120-180 gallons of wine for any celebration is an overdose! However, it tells us that Christ can make anything imperfect (number 6) perfect. No amount of need, problem, sickness, embarrassment and pain can equal the superabundance of God’s grace and love.
- We see the intercessory role played by Mary, the mother of Jesus such that, at her request, Jesus does the first miracle of turning ordinary water into wine, bringing joy and peace to a couple whose marriage would have ended in utter disgrace, humiliation and perpetual stigma. This is so, for in the East, hospitality is a sacred duty, and anything short of it is shameful. Little wonder Mary is the Cause of our joy in the Litany of the Blessed Virgin Mary! When Mary pleads, Jesus intervenes. When we intercede for others, God takes action! We too must have the faith which trusts even when we do not understand clearly.
- By telling the servants at the wedding: “Do whatever he tells you” (cf. Jn. 2:5), Mary points people to Jesus not to herself. She tells us to be willing to turn to her Son and be ready to obey him. Thus, Jesus needs our collaboration to bring about the needed change.
- The new wine miraculously produced from ordinary water by Jesus is tasted by the people and they are able to see that it is never adulterated nor ordinary. Rather, it is even sweeter and better than the one which got finished. This means that, God can change even worse situations for our good. He can restore our joys beyond price and value; and whatever God does for us is genuine, holistic, integral, complete, perfect, excellent and beautiful.
Overjoyed with the wonders of the Lord, the Psalmist bursts out in song and exhorts: “Tell among all the peoples the wonder of the Lord” (Ps. 96: 3). We can only do this if our lives are expressions of joy. So, how can we allow joy to reign in our lives? St. Paul tells us that joy is the fruit of the Holy Spirit (cf. Gal. 5:22), and through charisms or gifts of the Spirit, our joy is restored and renewed. Paul says in the second reading: “There are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; and there are varieties of service, but the same Lord; and there are varieties of working, but it is the same God who inspires them all in every one” (I Cor. 12:4-6). In this text, Paul gives credence to the fact that spiritual gifts differ as people differ. He also emphasises the point that, the authentic source of charisms is the Holy Spirit. Furthermore, it is the same Holy Spirit who apportions the gifts to each one individually as he wills (cf. I Cor. 12:11).
Furthermore, St. Paul states the function of these charisms, and unfortunately, that is the point many people miss in their understanding and practice of the charisms. He says: “To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good” (I Cor. 12:7). This means that all the gifts have their value only in so far as they build up the community! Consequently, they should not be a cause of jealousy, rivalry and ecclesiastical conflict. Some of the gifts mentioned include wisdom, knowledge, faith, healing, miracles, prophecy, discernment of spirits, tongues and the interpretation of tongues. We need to note that this list is not exhaustive since there are more to them – some more prominent, others in the background but the source is the same Holy Spirit.
To find joy in life demands the discernment of one’s personal gifts and talents. The ability to identify them must also lead us to use them purposefully, meaningfully and confidently for the wellbeing of the church. Everyone is encouraged to discover and use their specific gifts. There is a story of a very wealthy CEO of a multinational company who goes to clean her parish church every Saturday. One Saturday morning, after the clean-up, a man met her and their interactions led to the exchange of complementary cards. The man was flabbergasted to learn the high social status of the woman. He could not reconcile how a high-class wealthy woman who has many servants at her beck and call, would personally come to clean, sweep and mop her parish church weekly. Our gifts differ and each of them must be used to serve the community. When we serve others cheerfully, sacrificially and lovingly, we sow joy in them and also reap joy in our work. Let us pray to God to open our eyes in order to discover and our use our gifts and talents so that we may find the joy which endures, the joy that gives us strength to serve him in our neighbours. Happy Sunday and God richly bless us! Remember: #The-Joy-Of-The-Lord-Is-Our-Strength#
