Readings for January 17, 2010 - 2nd after Epiphany

Jesus the Christ, like an abundant harvest, is an extravagant sign of God's love for us.

Take a moment to centre yourself in prayer:

O God of all our joys and celebrations. You overflow in our lives with abundance – even in our times of hunger, the possibilities for faith are boundless. Open us to your grace in the moments when we are feeling impoverished. Teach us to be grateful for all that we have been given, to be courageous in confronting injustice, to be bold in witnessing your love. We pray in Jesus’ name, remembering how he transformed the people around him, Amen

These weeks are characterized by the living out of our faith:
January 18 – Martin Luther King Jr Day
Jan 18-25 – Week of Prayer for Christian Unity in Canada, US, UK.The week stretches from the feast day of St Peter to the feast day of St Paul (2 of the foremost – yet very different – apostles of the early church) a very fitting reflection of our ecumenical diversity.

READ Isaiah 62:1-5

This passage is taken from the third “author” of Isaiah, most likely written after the Israelites have returned to Jerusalem after their time of exile in (after 500 BC). In this particular passage, like Hosea and Jeremiah, the author draws on marriage symbolism to describe the relationship between God and Israel. God promises to redeem the “bride”, return her children to her, and together they would rebuild along lines of fidelity, unity and justice.

In reality, the prophet is speaking to a community divided: there were those who were returning from exile, those who never left, and those who were born into the exiled community, reclaiming their heritage. The prophet recognizes the bitterness of past experience, calling Israel “Forsaken” and “Desolate”, yet paints such a beautiful picture of her restoration that the people must rise above their differences to participate in it.

Historically, women unmarried, widowed or abandoned by their husbands were without status, without power. The prophet celebrates that God chooses the lowliest and overturns their situation, claiming them as beloved and worthy of salvation. For a community struggling to rebuild, learn how to govern themselves again, mend broken fences, this passage affirms that God will make it possible.

Question for reflection:
Martin Luther King Jr.’s “I have a Dream” speech has inspired generations to work for justice, no matter how hopeless it may seem. What other dreams or visions have inspired you in your journey of faith?

READ 1 Corinthians 12:1-11

This passage follows a few chapters dealing with concrete issues causing conflict in the early Christian community at Corinth: eating meat, sexual behavior, marriage and bereavement, head coverings, the institution of the Lord’s supper. Corinth had a lot of different opinions! Who should be the deciding authority? The one who seemed most spiritually gifted, the one who was closest to Paul, the one who gave the most time or money?

Paul reiterates that there is no one spiritual gift that is automatically more important than the others: from the spectacular charism of speaking in tongues to the daily grind of visiting or caring for the sick, all are part and parcel of the one Spirit. While the Greek culture, and most Corinthians, prided themselves on achieving “wisdom” and “knowledge”, Paul asserts that spiritual wisdom and knowledge are something we RECEIVE rather than ACHIEVE. They require openness/humility to the Spirit.

Question for reflection:
We live in a culture that prizes “gifted” children, and raises them above the ordinary. How does that contrast with Paul’s understanding of spiritual “gifts”?

READ John 2:1-11

Everyone loves a happy ending! However, the story of the wedding at Cana is more than just the story of a miracle resolving a human problem and saving the day.

The gospel of John places great importance on Jesus’ ability to reveal “signs” of God. Jesus takes ordinary things like water, wind, birth and wells and gives them new meaning. The old rituals lack hospitality – where there should have been more wine, the host only has the water put aside for ritual cleansing. However, Jesus’ blessing provides overflowing wine of the best quality – he makes even the latecomers welcome.

Jesus suggests that it is not yet time for his “signs” to be seen – his work must unfold slowly and deliberately in order to take root and grow. Those who partake of the new wine should believe in him, as the disciples do. Jesus is reluctant. His mother is compassionate towards those who are about to become a scandal. God and humanity must work together to meet the needs of those who are thirsting for fulfillment.

Question for reflection:
In what concerns would you like to “nudge” God? With what concern is God “nudging” you?

READ Psalm 36:5-10

This portion of the psalm follows an account of a wicked person. In contrast, this portion focuses on those who listen to God, and thus enjoy God’s abundant grace and protection. It is not a superficial comparison of “evil” and “good” actions, but perspective: those who see no good and therefore cannot recognize God in the world around them; against those who have experienced God’s grace and live in gratitude.

James Taylor has written a parallel in Everyday Psalms (WoodLake Books), which provides a closing meditation:

All creation is your household, God.
All can live together in harmony under your roof.
In your kitchens they are fed;
In your living room, they are entertained and uplifted.
For you are life itself.
Continue to give us life, oh Lord.
Show us how to live in harmony in your home.

Amen to that!