Sunday Synopsis: Prayer Assures of New Wine!

Sunday Synopsis: Put Out into the Deep
Fr. Justine J. Dyikuk

Second Sunday of the Year C – January 19, 2025.

Readings: Isaiah 62:1-5; Responsorial Psalm PS 96:1-3,7-10; 1 Corinthians 12:4-11 & Gospel John 2:1-11.

Sunday Synopsis

In the first reading, the Prophet Isaiah brings a message of hope that the nations will see Jerusalem’s integrity, noting that she would be called by a new name and a crown of splendour. In the second reading, St. Paul insists that there are a variety of gifts in the Church given by the same Lord but meant for service. The Gospel narrates how Jesus and his mother were invited to a wedding at Cana in Galilee and he performed a miracle. With the various forms of prayer, as in the case of the couple at Cana, our new wine is assured! 

Introduction

Friends in Christ, we would reflect on prayer and its potential in the economy of salvation. Our liturgy points to the three forms of prayer/worship in the Church: Latria – constituted by the Mass as the highest form of prayer which constitutes thanksgiving, adoration, petition, and supplication; Hyperdulia – which translates as the glorious intercession of Our Lady who is higher in rank than the saint based on her Immaculate Conception and Perpetual Virginity; Dulia means the intercession and veneration of the Saints who are our ancestors in the faith.

Background & Summary of the Readings

In the first reading (Isaiah 62:1-5), the Prophet Isaiah brings a message of hope that the nations will see the integrity of Jerusalem noting that she would be called by a new name and a crown of splendour as well as a princely diadem in the hand of the Lord. He further uses poetic language to describe her being wedded like a young man marries a virgin. He ends by saying that God will rejoice in her.

In the second reading (1 Corinthians 12:4-11), St. Paul insists that there are a variety of gifts in the Church given by the same Lord but meant for service. He lists these gifts as, preaching, instruction, faith, healing, miracles, prophecy, recognising spirits, tongues, and interpretation. He concludes by emphasising that: “All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, who distributes different gifts to different people just as he chooses.”

The Gospel (John 2:1-11) narrates how Jesus and his mother were invited to a wedding at Cana in Galilee. It tells how the couple ran out of wine and Mary intervened. Jesus obliged his mother by telling the servants to fill the six stone jars with water. When they did, the water had turned into wine. Although his hour had not yet come, he saved this couple from total embarrassment. The Virgin Mary’s intervention and the role of the stewards who filled the six stone jars with water at the instance of Jesus introduce us to the role of prayer as evident in the pastoral lessons.

Pastoral Lessons

  1. Be wedded to God: The first reading challenges us to be wedded to God by being committed to him knowing fully well that it pleases him well if we do his will.
  2. Offer your gifts/talents: The variety of gifts in the Church namely, preaching, instruction, faith, healing, miracles, prophecy, recognising spirits, tongues, and interpretation, as fine wine calls us to use our gifts and talents for the advancement of the kingdom of God.
  3. Be compassionate: Jesus’ first nature miracle demonstrates his compassion for fallen humanity and how he intervenes not only to save us from embarrassment but also to plead our cause before the Father and urges us to be merciful and compassionate.
  4. Seek Mary’s intercession: As a demonstration of Hyperdulia, the Immaculate Heart of Mary always works in unison with the Sacred Heart of Jesus towards our salvation just as she intercedes for us especially during May and October devotions so that the wine of patience in our lives may not be diminished.
  5. Recourse to the Saints: The role of the servants who assisted in filling the stone jars with water points to Dulia – the intercessory role of the Saints who plead on our behalf before the Father.

Summary Lines

  1. In the first reading, the Prophet Isaiah hopes that the nations will see Jerusalem’s integrity, noting that she will be called by a new name and a crown of splendour.
  2. In the second reading, St. Paul insists that there are a variety of gifts in the Church given by the same Lord but meant for service.
  3. He (St. Paul) lists these gifts as, preaching, instruction, faith, healing, miracles, prophecy, recognising spirits, tongues, and interpretation.
  4. The Gospel narrates how Jesus and his mother were invited to a wedding at Cana in Galilee.
  5. It tells how the couple ran out of wine and Mary intervened.

Conclusion

In conclusion, we are called to prayer. The Church has given us Latria, Hyperdulia, and Dulia as modelled forms of communicating with God. Our liturgy assures that with prayer, our wine of impatience would be replaced by patience, unbelief by a robust faith, and materialism with a solid spirituality. Indeed, with prayer, our wine of faith will never diminish. Have a great day!

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