Participating in Christ’s Ministry with Our Gifts

Readings: 1^st: Is 62, 1-5; Ps: 95; 2^nd: I Cor 12, 4-11; Gos: Jn 2, 1-11

This brief reflection was written by Fr. Njoku Canice Chukwuemeka, C.S.Sp. He is a Catholic Priest and a member of the Congregation of the Holy Spirit (Spiritans). He is a missionary in Puerto Rico. He is the Parish Priest of Parroquia la Resurrección del Senor, Canóvanas, and the Major Superior of the Congregation of the Holy Spirit (Spiritans), Circumscription of Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic. He was the chancellor of the Diocese of Fajardo Humacao, Puerto Rico. Fr. Canice is a member of the Academy of Homiletics. For more details and comments contact him at: canice_c_njoku@yahoo.com, canicechukwuemeka@gmail.com

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Today is the second Sunday of ordinary time year C. On this Sunday, we rejoice in God, who never abandoned us to fate. We celebrate today because God allowed his son to come to our aide. We also rejoice because God has blessed and equipped us with different gifts of the Holy Spirit to participate in the ministry of Christ.

The first reading of this Sunday is from the “third Isaiah.” Through prophet Isaiah, God assures us of his willingness to continue to protect and save us his people. Therefore, it is a message of hope and restoration. So, God reminds us today that he has not abandoned us. The tone here is very romantic and simply reminds us of how much God loves us.

So, like a man or woman who vowed to protect his beloved, God promised to protect and save us at all cost: “About Zion, I will not be silent; about Jerusalem, I will not grow weary…until her salvation flames like a torch.” The reason for this strong assurance is simple. We are God’s Bride and Delight. We are his chosen ones. So, Isaiah exalts us today that God is ready to sacrifice anything for our sake and salvation. He fulfilled this by sending us his only son to accomplish this mission.

Also, in our second reading today, Paul reminds us that out of love for his church and us, God has generously lavished each one of us with gifts of the Holy Spirit. In other word’s God did not stop at sending us his only son, but he also anointed us with the same spirit with which he anointed Christ. One important point that Paul makes here is that the gifts we have received come from the same Holy Spirit.

However, we must bear in mind that we received these gifts for a purpose. They are given to us to help us participate in Christ’s mission. They are for the edification and growth of the church of Christ. God gave them generously to us. So, we must also use them generously in serving the church.

Today’s gospel from John centers on the first miracle of Jesus Christ. This miracle was a product of Christ’s generosity. Although it was not yet time for Christ to commence his public ministry, he generously accepted to help out with his gift of miracle. Through this, Christ taught us exactly how we should use our gifts for the good and growth of God’s people.

Also, another important lesson we should learn from today’s gospel is the role the Blessed Virgin Mary played in this miracle. She had the gift of prayer or intercession. She knew that her son would not refuse her anything good. So, she immediately interceded on behalf of her people.

The only price that Mary demanded from servants was their obedience to the commands of Christ. She knew that her gift of intercession and position as the Mother of Christ was a gift from God. It is for the edification of her people. Therefore, by using her gift of intercession very well, she participated effectively in the ministry of Christ.

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Therefore, we are called today to emulate the examples of Christ and Mary. They used their gifts for the growth and edification of the people of God. Also, we must constantly ask our lady for intercession as those at the wedding did. Most importantly, we must be ready to take her advice: “Do whatever He tells you to do!”

Peace be with you!

Maranatha!