Por Fr. Ed Liptak, SDB

On this Second Sunday in Ordinary Time, Isaiah begins with a Victory Hymn of the LORD. Cyrus, Emperor of the pagan Persian Empire, set the captives free to return to Jerusalem and restore the ruined Temple and its treasure. So amazing was this deed to Israel that the Hebrew Bible honored Cyrus as Anointed of God, an early Messiah. We might share that amazement, for Cyrus was King of what is present-day Iran, the mortal enemy of Israel.

St. Paul to the Corinthians reveals that the Lord has also done amazing things for the new Jerusalem, our Catholic Church. Paul upholds that every spiritual gift and every service done by the Church has been inspired by the Holy Spirit. Lest we forget, the Spirit was sent by the Father at the request of Jesus.

Then Paul goes on to list many ministries and gifts of the Spirit to the Church. Some are called to teach treasures of wisdom and knowledge. Others are given unshakeable faith, the power of healing, and doers of miracles. There are prophets, those able to identify good or evil spirits, those with the gift of tongues. So many gifts, “But one and the same Spirit produces all of these, distributing them individually to each person as he wishes,” says Paul. Vatican II has reawakened our trust in that same Holy Spirit.

As recorded in our gospel, soon after the Baptism of Jesus, St. John depicted the Wedding Feast at Cana. The Baptism revealed Jesus as the Son of God, One with the Father, confirmed by the Spirit. Now, Cana will reveal directly the action that propelled Him into His public ministry. The ‘Sign’ that Jesus worked was indeed astounding. By John’s own account, like 120 gallons of water became first-class wine.

Entering His Passion in the garden, Jesus prayed in anguish that He be delivered from such agony. An angel strengthened Him (see Lk 22:43). At Cana, His angel was His Mother Mary. John portrayed Jesus avoiding His strife: “My hour has not yet come.” His Mother urged Jesus to begin by telling the waiters, “Do whatever He tells you.” This would end on Calvary. Mary would be there with Him. Many call her Co-Redeemer.

“Jesus did this as the beginning of his signs
at Cana in Galilee and so revealed his glory.”
(Jn 2:11)