Today is a Sunday in Ordinary Time. We’ve just completed the Christmas Season when we celebrated the mystery of the Incarnation, Jesus’ coming to earth in human flesh and now remaining alive, present and active, within us. That’s truly part of the mystery of Incarnation.

On the Feast of Epiphany we reflected on the mystery of the manifestation. That visit of kings come from a foreign land signified that Jesus was to be known far and wide. The truth of God’s great love and our salvation would be “good news” for all humankind: the kingdom of God was open for all.

Then last week we focused on Jesus’ Baptism where a public proclamation was made by the Baptist and a voice from heaven made known that this Jesus was the One long awaited, the Son of God.

Now here we are at the beginning of Ordinary Time when we are to keep in mind and show in our everyday lives that we are willing to assume responsibility to let Jesus live within our flesh, to manifest God’s presence in the world by our actions. It’s now our challenge to proclaim the “good news” of God’s love for all people and to do so by our witness.

To support us in this task of being the presence of God in the world around us, we are offered Scripture readings at our liturgies, passages from the Word of God, chosen throughout the year for our reflection and our nourishment.

Today we’ve just heard about the marriage feast at Cana. According to John, the Evangelist, this is the setting for Jesus’ first miracle, but that’s not so for the other three gospel writers. Matthew in his gospel narrative just talks about Jesus going throughout Galilee teaching and curing, and he doesn’t describe any “first time” at all. Mark and Luke both mention the cure of a demoniac as the first miracle. But John chose a wedding as the setting for the first of the signs by which the power and authority of Jesus were made evident.

By John’s choice of a wedding feast, no doubt the early Christians and hopefully we today are alerted to one of the most prominent themes of the Old Testament, the use of marriage to teach of God’s fidelity. In the commentary “Days of the Lord” we read: “No image has been found that better expresses and symbolizes the union, the joining of life and destiny, ordained by God between himself and his chosen people. It is a covenant that involved fidelity, reciprocal trust, mutual giving, the love of God for his people and of the people for their God.”

The reading from the prophet Isaiah, our first Scripture reading today, was surely well chosen as the companion piece for this Gospel text. Isaiah proclaims that the people have been called by a new name—God rejoices in them. No matter that on their part the Israelites had failed, God delighted and forgave and drew them into union with him as a bridegroom would offer a marriage covenant. With this reminder by Isaiah fresh in our minds, we listened as John portrayed Jesus moving into his public ministry where he would embrace all social classes, the poor, the outcast, all humanity. This choice of a wedding is indeed significant: his first miracle at a wedding foreshadowed a new covenant.

Mary, Jesus’ mother, is one of the wedding guests. Jesus and those new disciples were also invited. So far in John’s narration, Jesus had drawn little or no attention except that these few men, sensing something extraordinary, had agreed to “come and see”. During the celebration Mary noticed an embarrassing situation. The wine had run out. She was concerned for the bridal couple.

Very likely Mary still hadn’t any real understanding of what Jesus might be able to do, but she had unwavering trust in his compassion so she brought this need to his attention. At first it seemed he was hesitant, but her gentle acknowledgment of his yet untold giftedness and her trust that he would do all that was within his capability seemed to end any further dialogue. Jesus said nothing more. Mary said to the servers, “Do whatever he tells you.”

Then with no apparent fanfare, no blessing, not really drawing much attention as far as the story goes, Jesus had the ceremonial jars filled to the brim and then just suggested that the headwaiter be given a taste of the contents. Other than this man’s comment to the groom about saving the best until last, it seems that no attention was drawn to what had happened, no particular reaction from the groom, no notice of it among the guests.

But still John made a point of saying Jesus’ glory was revealed! To whom? To those first disciples. For them this was the moment of awakening, a glimpse into what was ahead. Indeed, their bodily eyes saw that water was now wine. But what mattered most was the invisible reality they came to see—that Jesus had divine power. On some level they came to believe he was from God though in the years ahead they and others who followed Jesus would struggle to understand.

So what does this mean for us? What are we called to today? We Christians who say we believe and know that we are God’s beloved. We Christians who acknowledge that we are responsible for bringing God’s love and compassion into the world. The healing and feeding and sheltering of his people that our God wants done in the world is ours to do. By the Spirit of God alive in us, we are the incarnation of Jesus and we must manifest God’s presence in the world. What does this ask of us?

The devastation in Haiti this week, what does that demand of God’s people? Of us? Of me? On Thursday I attended an all day conference learning of the trafficking and enslavement of men, women and children that is actually happening in our country, in our city. What does that demand of God’s people? Of us? Of me?

Surely our prayers. Can we send money? Perhaps. Can we stay aware, learn the truth of situations, speak of them to our elected officials, spread truth. We must step forward to do what we can and in so doing discover of what we might be capable. And it isn’t only big things that we’re called to do. Sign up lists appear on our bulletin boards, needs to be filled right here. What’s asked? Of us? Of me? A neighbor needs a ride or help with a project? What’s asked? Of us? Of me? A co-worker, or a family member seems upset about something? What’s asked of us? Of me?

The lesson from First Corinthians reminds us that we all share the Spirit and we’re all in some way gifted. Each of us has a part to play in manifesting the presence of Jesus in the world. In the time on earth that each of us has, it is our responsibility to be the precious individual, the unique person each has been created to be. All of us have gifts that when and if used, together can change the world. There is power in that.

Today’s Mass intention is for my niece Mary Bolt on the first anniversary of her death, the day she completed her mission of using her gifts. My family and I are grateful for your prayers as we continue to miss her while at the same time sensing her presence and support. Her life will be remembered for its witness of God’s love in action.

May each of us, in her or his lifetime, let Jesus come alive in our flesh and manifest his presence in the world.

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