INVITING JESUS AND MARY INTO OUR LIFE'S JOURNEY

HOMILY FOR THE 2ND SUNDAY OF ORDINRY TIME, YEAR C 

(Is.62:1-5, Ps.95:1-3.7-10, 1Cor.12:4-11 & Jn. 2:1-11)

INVITING JESUS AND MARY INTO OUR LIFE'S JOURNEY 

In this Second Sunday of the Ordinary Time of the Liturgical Year, the Lord through his prophet Isaiah assures us in the First Reading, that he would neither be weary nor keep silent over the ugly situation of his people, until their integrity and vindication are restored (Is.62:1-5). 

In the light of this, today's Gospel reading from St John -Jn.2:1-11, presents us with the account of the very first public miracle (sign) of Jesus, which he performed at Cana in Galilee at a wedding ceremony to alleviate human predicament and restore their joy. In the theology and pedagogy of St John the beloved disciple, Miracles are signs to reveal Jesus glory of Son-ship and Messiah-ship which are meant to restore and elicit faith from us.

As the narrative has it, Mary the Mother of Jesus was there at the wedding ceremony and Jesus and his disciples were also invited. And in the course of the celebration, the wedding hosts ran out of wine while many guests were yet to be served. Bearing in mind that, in the Jewish culture wine used to be served in abundance during such wedding feasts even up to seven days. But here is this family in a helpless situation as their wine suddenly got finished amidst the wedding celebration. And when Mary noticed this embarrassing situation she was moved with compassion and she immediately took the initiative to plead with her son Jesus, telling him that, the couple had ran out of wine. Implying that Jesus should do 'something' to relieve the couple of the embarrassing situation. 

By this gesture, Mary teaches us what it means to be sensitivity to peoples' predicament'. Being sensitive to other peoples' predicament and responding to it, remains a noble Christian virtue. Sometimes we remain CULPABLY INSENSITIVE to the situation around us begging for help, and which only God knows that we are capable of doing something to help. In many families and communities today, for instance, members die silently in their needy situation because those who could do something to alleviate the situation choose to remain adamantly indifferent. Mary teaches us today to be pro-actively sensitive wherever we are. DVvv 4vA4gàh aà

On the surface, Jesus seemingly objected initially to Mary's plea by saying, "Woman, why turn to me? My hour has not yet come". Ordinarily, receiving this seemingly negative response from Jesus, Mary could have concluded that there is no hope, and that the case is closed. However, she was rather so optimistic that, even though Jesus seemly gave a negative response to her request, that come-what-may, he would surely reconsider the plea. That is why Mary wasted no time to approach the wedding stewards and instructed them to be watchful and to do whatever Jesus tells them to do. Mary's attitude here reveals her deep love and trust in Jesus. Though Jesus' hour to begin his miracle had not yet come, still Mary was not daunted but rather was quite optimistic of what Jesus could do.

Interestingly, shortly after, straightaway Jesus went and instructed the wedding stewards to fill some nearby six ablution stone jars with water and Jesus turned the water into wine , a very tasty kind of wine and thereby  brought great blessing and joy to the couple and their wedding guests.  

This very first miracle which Jesus performed in the course of his ministry owing to the loving compulsion of his Mother, highlights the POWERFUL INTERCESSION OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY as well as THE GREAT LOVE AND REGARD WHICH JESUS HAS FOR HIS MOTHER - MARY. If Mary could be so sensitive to intercede with her Son for a desperate couple without their asking or even knowing about her plea, how much more would she not intercede for us, even with greater persistence when we ask for her intercession as a compassionate Mother, to whom Jesus himself entrusts us to her motherly care at the foot of the cross through the beloved disciple -John, at Calvary (Jn.19:26-27). 

Therefore, as the presence of Jesus and Mary brought succour and happiness to the marriage at Cana, so would any marriage or family today who invites Jesus and Mary to their family life experience Mary's intercession as well as Jesus' gracious miracle of grace. Yes, we may not literally run out of wine in our family or in our individual lives, but we may run out of the necessary and the abundance of the grace that would secure our happiness and lasting relationship with the Lord.

Therefore, today's Gospel passage, encourages us to invite Jesus and Mary to our individual lives and families. When we do, you will see that the miracle of grace will surely be flowing abundantly in your lives and families. You will certainly not run out of the ‘wine’ of fortitude, peace, love and happiness in your family and individual lives. That is why the Letter to the Hebrews encourages us to approach with confidence the THRONE OF GRACE, (Our Lord Jesus Christ) so that we will obtain mercy and grace to help us in our time of need, (Heb.4:16). 

May the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Mother of Jesus the Saviour intercede for us. Always endeavour to give the Lord Jesus the first place in your life and allow His principles and values to determine and colour your daily lives, decisions and choices.

Reflection by 

Fr Damian Ikemefuna Ozokwere cssp