Second Sunday in Ordinary Time
The Christmas season officially ended last Sunday with the feast of the Baptism of the Lord. However, today and through the coming weeks, our scripture readings continue to show us God revealing his glory through Christ, the long-awaited Messiah. The liturgy today opens with an antiphon that reminds us of Epiphany: “All the earth shall bow down before you, O God, and shall sing to you, shall sing to your name, O Most High!” (Ps 66:4). This notion is furthered in the first reading from Isaiah 62:1-5: “Nations shall behold your vindication, and all the kings your glory.” Because God identifies Israel as his spouse (“For the Lord delights in you and makes your land his spouse”), Jerusalem—symbol of the Church—shares in his glory: “You shall be a glorious crown in the hand of the Lord.” This revelation of God’s glory finds voice in the responsorial psalm: “Tell his glory among the nations; among all peoples his wondrous deeds” (Ps 96:3).
The second reading from 1 Corinthians 12:4-11 makes explicit some of the “wondrous deeds” of the Lord in the form of the spiritual gifts of the Spirit. “To each individual, the manifestation of the Spirit is given for some benefit.” God’s glory is revealed in the Spirit’s gifts of wisdom, knowledge, faith, healing, mighty deeds, prophecy, discernment of spirits, varieties of tongues, and interpretation of tongues.
The Gospel story of the Wedding at Cana (John 2:1-11) presents the changing of water into wine as the first of seven signs of the revelation of Jesus’ glory: “Jesus did this as the beginning of his signs…and so revealed his glory…” (Jn 2:11). Christ, the bridegroom of the Church, transforms bread and wine at every Eucharist into his own His Body and Blood, and thereby give us a share in his glory. The communion antiphon used at the abbey today is drawn from today’s first reading from the book of the prophet Isaiah (62:5): “As a bridegroom rejoices in his bride, so shall your God rejoice in you.” God’s rejoicing in us bids us, in turn, to rejoice in God because of his promise that we will one day share in the glory of his Kingdom. The words of the Gospel acclamation make clear this hope “God has called us through the Gospel to possess the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ” Cf. 2 Thessalonians 2:14.
Prayer for Today: Lord, let your glory shine through throughout my life that all my deeds and actions may reveal to others your Son, Jesus Christ and lead them to rejoice in you.
Reflection by Br. Michael Marcotte, OSB
Posted in Articles for Ordinary Time, Daily Reflections