20 January 2019 - wedding presence

Today's Readings

(Audio)

"Do whatever he tells you."

Mary continues to trust Jesus even when he acts as though he isn't going to help. She senses that the true bridegroom won't leave any wedding feast lacking the joy of wine if the attendees are open to his work among them.

The secret to joyful celebration of the Kingdom begins in the hiddenness of faith that holds on in spite of obstacles. Zion was subjugated for a long time, and considered forsaken. Zion was like a bride for whom the wedding party had gone very wrong indeed. But the bridegroom did not abandon her.

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.

If we want our own Church to shine forth like the dawn, her victory like a burning torch, then we need to simply heed the words of Mary when she says, "Do whatever he tells you."

Filling jars with water might seem not only insufficient but entirely futile. This sort of analysis is what keeps God from working in power through us. We just need to listen and act, trusting that what he is asking of us is just what is needed.

To each individual the manifestation of the Spirit
is given for some benefit.

Jesus wants to be a close to his Church as a bridegroom is to his bride. He wants the celebration to be real, not simply routine. He pours gifts on his beloved to ensure that the celebration is joyous.

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.

Both charismatic and institutional graces of the Church are meant to be profound and life changing when we really open ourselves to them. Especially today, let us open ourselves to the wine of the Eucharist, the Precious Blood of Jesus, to which no mere earthly wine can compare. This will ensure that our celebration of the wedding feast of the lamb brings us more fully into union with the bridegroom who invites us.