Reflection for Jan. 20, 2013

posted on: Thursday, January 17, 2013 by: renaebauer

Wedding at Cana tells us that Jesus wants us to turn to him

by Sister Mary Kabat

The mother of Jesus said to him, "They have no wine."
And Jesus said to her, "Woman, how does your concern affect me?"

That is the brief conversation at the beginning of Sunday's Gospel of the Wedding at Cana.  In the past I have been troubled by Jesus' response to Mary.  I certainly wouldn't talk to my mother that way.  Would you?  But read the words again and this time see a glint of love and humor in Jesus' eyes and a smile on his face.  That would give Mary every confidence in telling the servers to, "Do whatever he tells you."

Changing water into wine at a wedding in a small town may not seem like a very important first public miracle.  But I take great comfort in it.  It gives a clear message of how Jesus responds to every concern or need of ours.  He loves us and care about us.  Our concerns do affect him.  As the prophet Isaiah tells us in the first Scripture reading, "The Lord delights in you!"

I've heard people say, "Oh, I don't want to bother God with that" or "God has more important things to do."  No, you are his child, his delight!  Don't hesitate to share your concerns, worries or needs with him.  Sometimes just sharing the burden, as with a friend, lifts our spirits.  Trusting God to act for the good of ourselves or others can give us the confidence and peace of mind we need as we go about our day.

Celebrating the 'Year of Faith'

The Creed: The Saving Death & Resurrection of Christ

chapter 8, US Catholic Catechism for Adults

by Sister Laura Zelten

Then he said to all, "If anyone wishes to come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me." -- Luke 9:23

The Paschal Mystery is the saving death and resurrection of Jesus for the redemption of the world.  It is a core Christian belief that by his death and resurrection he overcame death and sin. This is the Good News of the Gospel.

In rising, he brings new life, grace, and the Holy Spirit so we might know the dignity of being adopted as sons and daughters of God. Humanity needs salvation from sin and death and the strength of new life in Christ.  In Baptism, we die to sin with Christ and are raised to new life in the Holy Spirit.  This dying and rising with Christ is our participation in the Paschal Mystery.

"Christ's resurrection is an event historically attested to by the apostles, who met their risen Lord. The reality of Christ's resurrection is also a transcendent event beyond the realm of human history. The apostolic witness of Christ's resurrection is the foundation of the Church's proclamation of the Paschal Mystery to the world." (CCC 638-658)