Homily Second Sunday Year C God restores and delights in us
Homily
Second Sunday Year C
Reading
1:
It
its initial application the prophet is telling the people in exile that God is
about to restore them to a renewed relationship. He will do this to manifest
his glory
It
its main application the prophet reveals almost 700 years before it happens
that he will send a Messiah to restore them and us from our captivity of sin. In
spite of the infidelity of the people of Israel and our infidelity, God
promises to protect and save us. He has not abandoned us nor will he ever do
so. It is a message of hope and restoration.
He
shows his glory by revealing his great love for us. He will give us a new name,
his “delight” and his “espoused.” We will no longer be “forsaken” and “desolate”.
He refers to himself as a “builder” because God desires to re-build and restore
his initial relationship with us lost by the sin of Adam and Eve.
Reading
2:
Not
only does God delight in us, but he also empowers us for ministry. He lavishly
pours upon us, as he did upon Jesus after his baptism in the Jordan, the
anointing gifts of the Holy Spirit. Like Jesus, he gives us all the gifts we
need to do the work of God.
What
is this work? To manifest that God loves us and delights in us. To each person
the manifestation of the Spirit is given. What should our response be? We are
called to become aware of the Spirit’s lead and to act on that lead in the
gifts and power of the Spirit so that the work of God may be accomplished. These
gifts are to be used in a complete self-giving way. These gifts are given to
build up the kingdom of God by ministering to others.
Unfortunately,
these gifts of the Spirit remain dormant in us for many years until we stir
them into flame, as Paul says, and use them for the purpose designed by God.
Gospel:
Jesus
is aware that the Father delights in him as the Father affirmed this after Jesus’
baptism. Jesus is aware that the Father gave him a fresh outpouring of the
gifts of the Spirit. Jesus, as a result, follows the lead of the Spirit. Jesus
goes forth to manifest the glory of God and the love of God. He does this
initially through the miracle of water becoming wine.
Mary’s
intercession on behalf of the married couple confirmed for Jesus what the
Spirit was saying within him. Underlying Jesus’ response to Mary was his
conviction of doing this because the Father desired it.
He
mentioned that his hour had not come. But he knows that by performing his
miracle—first sign—he will be manifesting the glory of God in anticipation of
the ultimate sign of the Father’s glory, his death and resurrection.
Mary
was led by the Spirit. There is a cooperation of others in this miracle. The
servants had to choose to follow the directions of Jesus, showing the human
participation in the work of God. They had to provide the water and do what
they were told, even if they did not understand.
We
are the delight of the Lord by God’s choice not because of anything we have
done. God pours out his Spirit upon us because of God’s choice. God will lead
us to do the work of the Kingdom. It is our choice to be attentive to the lead
of the Spirit and act on the word of God. Mary’s admonition to the servants
prepared them to experience the miracle. We too are admonished to do whatever
he tells us to do. But when we do, we too will see the glory of God revealed in
and through us.
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