2nd Sunday in Ordinary Time - Sacrifice of Jesus

Second Sunday in Ordinary Time, January 18, 2004
Isaiah 62:1-5 / Psalm 95) / Corinthians 12:4-11 / John 2:1-11

QUOTES

Marriage: A Communion Of Life And Love by Bp. Victor Galeone (July 10, 2003)

The two purposes of marriage are so mutually interconnected as to be inseparable. First, recall that Jesus ruled out the possibility of divorce by applying these words to the union of husband and wife: "They are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore, what God has joined together, let no one ever separate." In other words, spouses form an organic entity, like head and heart – not a mechanical one, like lock and key. So the separation of the head or heart from the body – unlike the removal of a key from its lock – entails the death of the organism. So too with divorce. Likewise, it was God who also combined the love giving and the life-giving aspects of marriage in one and the same act. Therefore, we can no more separate through contraception what God joined together in the marital act than we can separate through divorce what God joined together in the marriage union itself.

Statement in Affirmation of Priestly Celibacy by Bp. Wilton Gregory (Sept. 4, 2003)

Both marriage and celibacy are complementary in the witness to Christ that they offer the entire Church. Each is a grace that enriches the Church. Together with the marvelous witness of consecrated life, the requirement of celibacy for diocesan priesthood in the Western Church preserves that complementarity and grace for the universal Church.

HOMILY REFLECTIONS

The prophet speaks about the restoration of Zion and Jerusalem. His words are quite eloquent and filled with hope. Remember that the people of God had been dispossessed and their nation and its temple destroyed. Such a testimony would seem like foolishness to many. It is no wonder that at the end of their exile, if not of their subjugation, they rebuilt the temple and expected the eminent coming of the Messiah. However, a few years after the crucifixion of Christ, Jews and Christians alike found themselves persecuted with vigor by Rome and the temple was destroyed. Along with it the Jewish priesthood and their ritual sacrifices came to an end. Non-Catholic Protestant fundamentalists and certain Jewish authorities view the political restoration of Israel today as the beginning of a more complete fulfillment of the ancient prophecy. Indeed, the text we read at Mass was cited when the United Nations recognized the re-establishment of Israel. “You are to be a crown of splendor in the hand of the Lord, a princely diadem in the hand of your God; no longer are you to be named ‘Forsaken’, nor your land ‘Abandoned’, but you shall be called ‘My Delight’ and your land ‘The Wedded’, for the Lord takes delight in you and your land will have its wedding.”

As Catholic Christians we do not associate the state of Israel with the promised restoration of God’s nation. Instead, the new Zion and Jerusalem is the Church. The second reading recognizes that there are differing roles in the Church and varying gifts of the Spirit. The old sacrifices of the temple are replaced by the one oblation of Jesus who is both priest and victim. We renew and make present his saving covenant by celebrating the Lord’s Supper— in other words, the Mass— in our churches. Every Christian priest participates in the one priesthood of Jesus. Every Mass is a re-presentation (in an unbloody but real and spiritual way) of the sacrifice of Calvary. Just as Hosea and others in the Old Testament used the marriage analogy between God and his people, Christ is the bridegroom and the Church is his bride. The Mass is a participation in the heavenly wedding banquet that finds mention in Isaiah. St. Paul will speak eloquently about how a husband should love his wife as Christ has loved his Church. The Jews were right in their hope two thousand years ago for a Messiah; the tragedy is that only a few recognized him when he came. When he comes again, he will not forget his own— either in the Church or among the first people chosen by God.

The Gospel reading carries forward the general theme of marriage with the wedding feast at Cana. Note the intercessory role of Mary, even after Christ’s objection, “Woman why turn to me?” There is no argument. Joseph is gone and Jesus is the head of her household. She brings concerns to him and he takes care of them. He provides. Her answer is a command to the servants, “Do whatever he tells you.” Jesus had said that “My hour has not yet come,” and yet, the power of her faith moves him to freely comply. Jesus would later tell his listeners that if they had faith the size of a mustard seed, they could move mountains. There is no competition or tension between Jesus and Mary. This marriage feast was obviously for dear friends, maybe even relatives, and nothing should spoil its joy. Jesus turns water into wine. This is the first of his signs. At his own wedding banquet, he will turn wine and bread into his body and blood.

The message about the Church as a new Jerusalem and the analogy of a wedding banquet has serious doctrinal implications that are not always considered by believers in Jesus outside of Catholicism. While there is certainly an individual component to our ultimate salvation, the institution of the Church reminds us that there are vital corporate components as well. Jesus calls to himself disciples and appoints Apostles who will pass their authority down to the bishops who themselves will ordain priests and deacons. Jesus institutes a new covenant in his blood and commands it be repeated “in memory” of him, not in an empty nostalgic way but in a manner that makes present and available that which is recalled. He gives his message and divine mysteries, not to individuals, but to the Church, and appoints Peter and his successors as the visible head. It is the Church that assembles and declares inspired the Bible. Jesus sends his Spirit upon the Church at Pentecost to empower its leadership and to give efficacy to the sacraments. More wondrous than Isaiah could have ever imagined are the splendors given to the People of God.

What is the Church? We could write volumes and never begin to scratch the surface of this human and divine mystery. She is the great sacrament of encounter with Christ. All that we need for salvation can be found in the Church. Many analogies are used. Marriage is a popular one. Another is that of the Mystical Body of Christ. The faithful are united and interdependent, like the organs and parts of a body. There is a diversity of graces and gifts (see second reading). Read also Romans 12:4-5; 1 Corinthians 12:13; Ephesians 4:7. There is mutual complementation (Ephesians 4:15-16). The many gifts are distributed to believers as members of a whole, just as much for their own sake (Ephesians 4:7,12). The two become one, the human and divine, the bride and groom, the Church and Christ. “We, though many are one Body in Christ” (Romans 12:4-5). All is given us “for building up the Body of Christ,” (Ephesians 4:12). Read also 1 Corinthians 12:27 and Ephesians 1:23. Our unity is in Christ (Ephesians 1:23; 4:15-16). The Church is the manner in which Christ is present and visible throughout history. It is for this reason that our Lord so detested hypocrisy. Such a sin blurs the likeness that others need to see in our witness and that the Father hopes to see when he looks down upon us. If He sees his Son in us then we will have a share in his Son’s reward.

During a day when there have been so many scandals, we need to remember that the Church is not only a human institution but also a divine one. The Church is literally the INCARNATION of Christ in a “visible” society, his contemporary earthly state. Those who view the Church as an intermediary that must be gone beyond or even dismissed to find Christ have it all wrong. Instead, it is through the Church that Christ gives himself to us. Jesus is our priest at Mass. Jesus gives us himself in Holy Communion. Jesus forgives our sins in Confession. Jesus is our living and transformative Word proclaimed from the pulpit. Jesus is the one with whom we share the sign of peace. It is in this sense that the second Lateran Council spoke about how the Church as necessary for salvation. The Church is important because it is the extension of the person and saving work of Christ. Given this role, it is no wonder that our Lord gave special gifts to the Church: infallibility regarding the interpretation of the deposit of faith and empowerment for the sacraments so as to distribute from the deposit of divine grace. Christ is the Mediator of Salvation and the Church is his visible body in the world.

Last year the convert rate in the Catholic Church in the United States was dismal. Dioceses where there had been abusive clergy or complacent bishops suffered notable decreases in Church attendance. I know one parish which had counted as many as 5,000 people a week that suffered as loss of 1,380 a week. This should have us worried. Our Lord promised that the Church would endure until the end, but we would hope that it will be more than one Pope and a couple of aging altar boys. I am often reminded of poor St. Augustine, dying as his city was being destroyed. Try to find Hippo today, or even find a Catholic Church in so many places where the Church died, frequently to be replaced by Islam. We find sobering words in the Scriptures themselves about the Lord’s second coming, “But will he find any faith left on earth?” The Church is a witness to this faith. We should struggle to keep all parts of the body intact and alive.

Christ makes use of his Church in human history. Jesus preached and taught; we proclaim God’s Word and instruct with the bible and our catechism. Jesus forgave sins; we go to Confession. Jesus celebrated the Last Supper with his friends and endured the Cross; we have the Mass. Jesus healed the sick and dying; we offer medical care and the anointing of the sick. Jesus freed people from demons; we offer blessings and even exorcism. Jesus sought out the outcast and poor; we seek social justice and practice organized charity.

Jesus called the little ones to himself; and we seek to protect the dignity and rights of all God’s children, from the womb to the tomb. Individuals may be sinful and sick. Even the ministers of the Church are not immune to human weakness and failure. But the Church remains the unblemished bride of Christ.

THIS DAY IN HISTORY

• 0336 - St. Mark begins his reign as Catholic Pope
• 1562 - Council of Trent reconvened following a suspension of ten years
• 1733 - 1st polar bear exhibited in America (Boston)
• 1778 - Captain James Cook stumbles over Sandwich Islands (Hawaiian Islands)
• 1936 - Catholic biblical scholars met in Washington, DC to discuss two proposals: the preparation of a new Bible translation and the formation of a society of Catholic biblical scholars. Subsequently, the Catholic Biblical Association (CBA) was formed in 1937 and the New American Bible (NAB) was published in 1970.

PRAYER OF THE FAITHFUL

Loving God and Father, you sent your Son among us that men and women might be restored to your friendship and enter into a deeper unity with you. Many speaking with the one voice of the Church, we bring forward these prayers:

For the Holy Father and the bishops in union with him, that they will be strengthened by the Holy Spirit to teach and govern wisely and courageously, we pray . . .

For our Country, that we will put the needs of the poor and oppressed at the forefront of our national agenda, we pray . . .

For our elderly and sick, that they will be able to get the treatment and care they need, as well as the comforts of faith, we pray . . .

For those who have died, particularly parish and family members who passed away last year, we pray . . .

For men and women who are discerning a call, that many may know a vocation to priesthood and religious life, we pray . . .

For the right to life of the unborn and for a conversion of hearts, we pray . . .

Almighty God, trusting in your guiding hand, we offer these prayers over to you in Jesus’ name. Amen.

PRESENTATION TIP

Many of the good works done in parishes are performed with little fanfare or recognition. However, as a sign of appreciation and to inform and inspire others, a presentation might be done at the end of Mass recognizing all those who have served the church. Just as the Mass reading relates, we have different but interconnected gifts to build up the faith community. A booklet might be assembled and distributed that details the various parish ministries and activities with appropriate contacts.

PRAYER FOR THE HOMILIST

Almighty and merciful God, graciously attend to my humble prayers; and make me, Thy servant, whom Thou has appointed to dispense Thy heavenly mysteries, through no merits of my own, but only by the infinite bounty of Thy infinite mercy, a worthy minister at Thy sacred altar, that what is set forth by my voice may be confirmed by Thy hallowing grace. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Traditional Prayer (Raccolta, no. 740).