2nd Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year C)
Isaiah 62:1-5 | Psalm 95(96):1-3,7-10 | 1 Corinthians 12:4-11 | John 2:1-11
When they ran out of wine, since the wine provided for the wedding was all finished, the mother of Jesus said to him, ‘They have no wine’. Jesus said ‘Woman, why turn to me? My hour has not come yet.’
John 2:3-4
I’ve heard and read those words many times over the years, but it’s only after I heard the Lanky Guys (a priest and a catechist podcasting from Boulder, Colorado) comment on today’s readings (podcast audio here) that I realized how significant they are, given that we celebrate today the moment from which Jesus begins his ministry.
It’s easy to forget Mother Mary’s role at this nexus, and how it must have affected her. She probably remembered Simeon’s fateful words, when she brought the infant Jesus to the temple:
‘You see this child: he is destined for the fall and for the rising of many in Israel, destined to be a sign that is rejected-and a sword will pierce your own soul too-so that the secret thoughts of many may be laid bare.’
Luke 2:34-35
She may have realized that, by asking her son to resolve a supremely embarrassing situation, she would set in motion everything to fulfill Simeon’s prophecy…and suffer grievous hurt sometime in the future.
Jesus too makes no bones about this: Mother, do you know what you’re asking of me? If I take a hand in this, there’s no stopping this ministerial train…and it ends at Calvary.
Yet, in the end, Mary accepted what had to happen, and what needed to be done, regardless of the all-too-human misgivings and dread she may have felt:
‘Do whatever he tells you.’
John 2:5
We frequently feel that same dread when we’re called to love and serve God. Where is this train headed? What obstacles will I face? How much will I have to sacrifice?
But we have an advantage that Mother Mary did not, when she made that pivotal decision. We have been promised by Jesus Himself that “my yoke is easy and my burden light.” (Matthew 11:30)
So let us boldly go forth and spread the Word that is Christ, in word and deed. Let us be confident that He’ll fit us for, and guide us in, the task at hand, and never forget His admonition:
‘Once the hand is laid on the plough, no one who looks back is fit for the kingdom of God.’
Luke 9:62
Amen.