Reflection for 16 January 2022

Second Sunday in Ordinary Time

Deacon Miguel Salazar

     The miracle at the wedding of Cana reveals something about the way Jesus exercises his power. He could have easily filled those six empty thirty-gallon water jugs, with a word, or a snap of his finger. He could have, in an instant, created thousands of such jugs on the spot filled with wine or champagne or orange juice or anything he wanted. But he didn’t; he turned to the servants there and said, “Fill the jars with water.” [John 2:7] He wanted to involve them in his miracle. 
    That’s the way Jesus normally chooses to act. We see this later with the miraculous feeding of the five thousand men. Jesus could have easily fed the crowd by creating a sumptuous meal out of nothing.  He asked his disciples what they had to feed the crowd.  We also see this at work in the celebration of the Eucharist.  Jesus could begin with the grain and grapes he created and turn them into his sacred body and blood. But he doesn’t.  He starts with bread and wine because he wants to incorporate us into this greatest miracle of all.  During the offertory, the priest recalls this cooperation when he prays, “Blessed are you, Lord God of all Creation, through your goodness we have this bread to offer, which earth has given and HUMAN HANDS HAVE MADE” and later, “through your goodness we have this wine to offer, fruit of the vine and the WORK OF HUMAN HANDS.”  God’s goodness, together with the human contribution, “will become the bread of life … [and] our spiritual drink.” The lesson for us today is that Jesus could do it all; he doesn’t need us. But he wants to include us in his saving work, which is the greatest gift and the greatest mission we will ever have.

Sanctity of Life Awareness & Unity Day Mass

Wednesday, January 19, 2022, 12 Noon

Cathedral Basilica of St. Francis of Assisi, Santa Fe

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