January 19, 2025: Second Sunday in Ordinary Time

Gospel: John 2: 1-11

There was a wedding at Cana in Galilee, and the mother of Jesus was there. Jesus and his disciples were also invited to the wedding. When the wine ran short, the mother of Jesus said to him, “They have no wine.” And Jesus said to her, “Woman, how does your concern affect me? My hour has not yet come.” His mother said to the servers, “Do whatever he tells you.” Now there were six stone water jars there for Jewish ceremonial washings, each holding twenty to thirty gallons. Jesus told them, “Fill the jars with water.” So they filled them to the brim. Then he told them, “Draw some out now and take it to the headwaiter.” So they took it. And when the headwaiter tasted the water that had become wine, without knowing where it came from — although the servers who had drawn the water knew — the headwaiter called the bridegroom and said to him, “Everyone serves good wine first, and then when people have drunk freely, an inferior one; but you have kept the good wine until now.” Jesus did this as the beginning of his signs at Cana in Galilee and so revealed his glory, and his disciples began to believe in him.

Reflection

If one ever wondered about God’s generosity, one has only to consider the wedding feast at Cana! Commentators suggest that it was a large gathering, possibly everyone in Cana having been invited.

Perhaps it was about the fourth day of a typical seven day wedding celebration when Mary noticed the wine running out and told Jesus. She puts aside his seeming disinterest and tells the waiters to do whatever Jesus tells them.

What Jesus told them resulted in about 180 gallons of wine or 900 bottles, enough to serve a couple of glasses each evening to the gathered guests. Such extravagant generosity! So like our God!

Action

Look ahead to your activities this week and search for opportunities where you might act with greater generosity and thoughtfulness.