Reflection by Deacon Matt

2nd Sunday in Ordinary Time:

Isaiah 62:1-5: In Isaiah, chapters 60-62, the poems show a vision of hope and promise for Jerusalem; instilling hope for a transformation from a defeated people and nation to a victorious one. This passage might also be interpreted as illustrating the mission of the prophet to not only explain God’s vision and God’s objectives, but to work to bring about their completion.

Isaiah recognizes his role to publicize and proclaim God’s redemption of Jerusalem. These people, who have experienced such shame and humiliation in the sight of the world, are now to be exulted! We witness in this passage a hope-filled message, proclaiming that Jerusalem is being restored to intimacy with God, through God’s merciful forgiveness and ultimate redemption. Isaiah is effectively fulfilling his role to give the people hope. 

Psalm 96: “Proclaim His marvelous deeds to all the nations.” The psalmist echoes the prophet, Isaiah’s exulted role and mission, to quite literally “proclaim God’s marvelous deeds to all the nations.” As we sing this psalm, we ought to be moved to reflect that we all are called to glorify God, by proclaiming God’s goodness, gener-osity and loving mercy to all the world. This is, after all, the duty of each and all of us, as Christian disciples!

Reflect that we’re not only called to proclaim God, but to genuinely worship God with reverence, respect and true sincerity and humility of heart. We’ve been assigned our duty, as Christian disciples, to evangelize others. We have a duty and privilege to inform others about God’s loving mercy, justice and compassion, as well as about God’s infinite healing and protective power.

1 Cor. 12:4-11:  This passage comes to us at a perfect time; as we consider our individual missions. St. Paul reminds us that our individual talents are diverse; sometimes remarkably different from one another. These differences in individual talents or missions aren’t to be construed as “better” or “worse,” but merely as unique from one another. St. Paul emphasizes that these diverse talents and missions do have one key element in common… they’re all created by or originate with the same God. That alone is a lot to ponder! However, let’s add to that. Perhaps, this week, we can ask God to make us more cognizant of our talents. We can consider how God may be asking us to use them to help the Church!
Our God has a plan and a mission for each of us. We’ll never have true peace or serenity until we figure out and fulfill God’s mission!

John 2:1-11:  When we pray and ask God to make us aware of our talents and mission, we’d better be prepared to listen to God’s answer. That answer might come, as it did for Jesus, from others close to us; like a family member, a teacher or a friend. Someone might notice and tell you that you might be a good teacher, soccer player, musician, priest or nun, cook, doctor, etc. We’re being encouraged to listen with open ears and minds, and to consider to what and where God may be inviting us. 

The answers to our “mission search” may relate to the talent, the vocation, itself… or in Jesus’ case today; the setting and timing!   In this example, Mary reassured Jesus that the timing was right; given the bridal couple’s desperate need for compassionate help. Mary trusted. Will we? 

Deacon Matt