SECOND SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME – YEAR C - Gospel (Jn 2:1-11) - THE WORD OF GOD FOR EVERYONE

“Do whatever he tells you.” (Jn 2:5)

FIRST READING - 62:1-5

First reading from the Book of the Prophet Isaiah

For Zion’s sake I will not be silent,

for Jerusalem’s sake I will not be quiet,

until her vindication shines forth like the dawn

and her victory like a burning torch.

Nations shall behold your vindication,

and all the kings your glory;

you shall be called by a new name

pronounced by the mouth of the LORD.

You shall be a glorious crown in the hand of the LORD,

a royal diadem held by your God.

No more shall people call you “Forsaken, “

or your land “Desolate, “

but you shall be called “My Delight, “

and your land “Espoused.”

For the LORD delights in you

and makes your land his spouse.

As a young man marries a virgin,

your Builder shall marry you;

and as a bridegroom rejoices in his bride

so shall your God rejoice in you.

SECOND READING from the First Letter of St. Paul to the Corinthians - 1 Cor 12:4-11

Brothers and sisters:

There are different kinds of spiritual gifts but the same Spirit;

there are different forms of service but the same Lord;

there are different workings but the same God

who produces all of them in everyone.

To each individual the manifestation of the Spirit

is given for some benefit.

To one is given through the Spirit the expression of wisdom;

to another, the expression of knowledge according to the

same Spirit;

to another, faith by the same Spirit;

to another, gifts of healing by the one Spirit;

to another, mighty deeds;

to another, prophecy;

to another, discernment of spirits;

to another, varieties of tongues;

to another, interpretation of tongues.

But one and the same Spirit produces all of these,

distributing them individually to each person as he wishes.

GOSPEL OF THE DAY - Jn 2:1-11

From the Gospel according to John

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.

SECOND SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME – YEAR C - Gospel (Jn 2:1-11)

THE WORD OF GOD FOR EVERYONE

Dear People of God,

The Word of God today speaks of the power and authority of God the Father Almighty manifested among mankind. Only in God is there glory, light, happiness, and eternal peace. Only in God is there eternal life for mankind! God's plan of salvation manifests His power, which is revealed more clearly each day in the bodies of all creatures He created.

As the Word of God today, God reveals to mankind His glorious power, together with the intimate and profound union of the Virgin Mary, the mother of Jesus Christ when He came to earth as a human being. God the Father wants to tell people: that when someone believes and calls on Him, He will give grace, He will not forget any soul that knows how to run to call on God! That is God's instruction for all people, all creatures.

God, who loves all creatures, does not hate, does not exclude any part, any soul, any creature that God has created. This is the happiness of all creatures in this immense universe. Have faith and call on Him; with His infinite power, He will do everything for humanity according to His will.

Indeed, the Lord - the One who created from nothing to something, the One who turned evil into good, does not give grace to those who are suffering, desperate, and discouraged but know how to run to Him to plead. Especially those who know how to pray to Him through the most holy Mother Mary. However that person must be truly humble, self-effacing, and thirsty for the grace to transform their life. Then the Virgin Mary herself will listen to the cry of her children, and convey that prayer to God. He will have mercy on the humble condition of the suffering humanity!

Therefore, the Word of God today reminds those who are standing on the brink of despair, suffocating in the arms of Satan; to courageously stand up and return to God the Father. Do not despair! Do not give up or surrender, but run to the Mother of God, Mother of the Church, Queen of Heaven. Come to the Commander of the Army of Light so that she can exorcise Satan from you. And especially, let her teach you how to listen and obey the Word of God, how to trust and surrender: 'Do whatever he tells you.'

Trust in the Word of God's teachings today, in the absolute and infinite power of God and the profound love of His Mother. Through the miracle of turning water into good wine, God the Father invites all of His children not to despair, not to give up, not to end their lives following Satan's temptations, but to return to God the Father, to reconcile with Him so that He can heal, to soothe the pain that tears at the body and soul; to warm up the hearts hardened and cold, the minds that are gloomy and sad in the midst of disappointment. Let Mother Mary intervene in the lives of individuals and families in difficult situations, in the most difficult and seemingly hopeless situations, when the fire of love within oneself, the family, and the community has gradually died out.

God the Father calls all of His children to look at the power in His Word today, to see the power and love of God the Father who always provides, protects, and always watches over His children in all places and at all times. And have absolute faith He can do everything. Nothing is impossible for the Almighty, All-powerful God. He can turn evil into goodness, from nothing into something. He can save and free us from entrapment, the poverty of suffering of illness, and even death. He will bring eternal life to people in the Kingdom of Heaven that no power can take away.

Thanks be to God. Amen.

19:00 January 19th, 2025 Prayer of Divine Mercy - The Way to Heaven