January 20, 2013
2nd Sunday in Ordinary Time
St. John, the evangelist, does not use the word "miracle" but "sign." Signs of Jesus are wonderful events that are endowed with significance and meaning. Jews attending the wedding feast at Cana would observe Jesus changing water into wine in light of the words of Isaiah the prophet. God delights in the people of the covenant as a groom delights in his bride. The wedding banquet prefigures the coming of the Messiah when abundant wine signals God's dramatic intervention to restore and renew the house of Israel. We will see "signs" in our society this week. On Monday as we observe the birth of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr we will notice persons rededicating themselves to values of equality and non-violence espoused by Dr. King. Later in the week, there will be an interfaith and ecumenical gathering of concerned citizens assembling in Washington D.C. on the anniversary of Roe vs Wade -- the Supreme Court decision legalizing abortion. They will stand and march together peacefully giving witness to the sanctity of human life in the womb. For those gathered in Jesus' name, they must also express the promise of healing and reconciliation for those who have suffered an abortion. I pray God's grace of discernment that we will be attentive to sign's of God's providence in our lives and that we will become signs of God's mercy and love in Jesus Christ.
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Epiphany of the Lord
