Isaiah 62: 1-5; Psalm 96; 1 Corinthians 12:4-11; John 2: 1-12
With Jesus’ baptism, our pastor tells us, Christmas season is over. The baby has grown into the man on mission. In John’s gospel, to show God’s abundant generosity in sending the Word to become flesh, a man on mission, Jesus’ first sign is an abundance of new wine, 180 gallons of it! Picture those 180 gallons, a festive reminder that God promised this kind of rejoicing, according to Isaiah and the psalmist. What has Paul’s contemplation of the Body of Christ to do with this? Chapter 12 of this letter will continue through January and come to a climax on January 31 with the “hymn to love.” An abundance of love, God’s love, is the Spirit poured out with gifts that lead us to service and works, Paul writes today.
Can you enter the scene at Cana? How is Jesus—his figure, face, mood, dress, activity? Does he dance? Sing? Look at him looking at you. Are you the bride, the bridegroom, the steward? How is his look? How does it make you feel? How will you respond?
Mary, mother of this man on mission, help us always to “do whatever he tells” us. Holy Spirit, giver of gifts in abundance, let us hear Jesus’ voice as he sends us to love.