Readings for Mass First Reading: Isaiah 62:1-5 Responsorial Psalm: Psalms 96:1-2, 2-3, 7-8, 9-10 Second Reading: First Corinthians 12:4-11 Gospel: John 2:1-12
The first reading from Isaiah recounts a wonderful, unheard of relationship between God and God’s people:
No more shall people call you "Forsaken, " or your land "Desolate, " but you shall be called "My Delight, " and your land "Espoused."
No more forsaken.
Often the oppressed of the world see themselves as forsaken. Imprisoned, victims of war or genocide, burdened by grinding poverty – forsaken by the promise of peace, security, a bright future.
We all have experiences where we all of a sudden are forsaken. The death of a parent. Losing a job that we thought we could count on for the future.. Abandoned by a close friend on whom we could always have relied. The abrupt downswing of the stock market. An unforeseen serious auto accident. News of a terminal illness.
No more desolate.
Often the oppressed of the world experience desolation. Rain forests razed by commercial interests. No running water, nor suitable building materials, no hospitals, no shelter. Crowded orphanages because parents do not have the means to care for their children. Young people crowding the streets and sniffing paint, with nothing to do or nowhere to go.
We all have our moments of desolation. Bouts of depression and despair. The emptiness haunting all of our material possession. Pursuit of pleasure leaving only a bitter taste in our mouths. Addiction to alcohol or other drugs, either or own or a close family member. A lifetime of dedication to a company that only serves itself. The bitter accusation of our young when they realize how the quality of life has been ripped from our society or environment.
Then comes wonderful, unheard of relationship between God and God’s people. A reason to hope! A motive to work for social change!
No more forsaken, now "my delight." God, who could delight in the marvels of heaven, the expanse of the universe, the quiet dignity of the forest, finds delight in us. God a child bubbling with laughter over our silly jokes or funny actions. God an artist or author having completed the work of his or her life, putting the last touch on a painting that is us or the final sentence on a novel that is our story. God a juggler having dropped all the balls and grinning widely as they bounce from one side to the other.
No more desolate, now "espoused". God, whose love is deeper than any ocean, whose very definition is Love, espouses us. God, a tender lover losing himself or herself in our eyes. God, a parent bending down and kissing us on the cheek. God, hugging us warmly and never wanting to let us go. God, whose most exciting dream is of falling in love again with us. God, brimming with passion at the thought of us.
How could Jesus do other at the wedding feast than turn well water into the finest wine. He was the incarnation of the joy and love of God. Let us line up our water jugs, one by one, before this altar -- receptacles which we tell ourselves can only be stained with our forsakenness and desolation -- and we will leave with them brimming with full red wine.
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