R. Alleluia, alleluia.
God has called us through the Gospel
to possess the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

There was a wedding at Cana in Galilee,
and the mother of Jesus was there.
Jesus and his disciples were also invited to the wedding.
When the wine ran short,
the mother of Jesus said to him,
“They have no wine.”
And Jesus said to her,
“Woman, how does your concern affect me?
My hour has not yet come.”
His mother said to the servers,
“Do whatever he tells you.”
Now there were six stone water jars there for Jewish ceremonial washings,
each holding twenty to thirty gallons.
Jesus told them,
“Fill the jars with water.”
So they filled them to the brim.
Then he told them,
“Draw some out now and take it to the headwaiter.”
So they took it.
And when the headwaiter tasted the water that had become wine,
without knowing where it came from
— although the servers who had drawn the water knew —,
the headwaiter called the bridegroom and said to him,
“Everyone serves good wine first,
and then when people have drunk freely, an inferior one;
but you have kept the good wine until now.”
Jesus did this as the beginning of his signs at Cana in Galilee
and so revealed his glory,
and his disciples began to believe in him.

Today we celebrate the Second Sunday in Ordinary Time. In just four short weeks we catapulted from the Birth of Jesus, to His Epiphany, His Baptism in the Jordan River, and today, into the beginning of His public ministry. Wow. Thirty years of life condensed into four weeks. I suspect many of us can relate; our lives seem to pass so quickly, especially the older we get.

Holy Mother Church has given us the Holy Scriptures as a way to chronicle God’s Divine Plan for our Salvation. As Scripture tells us in the Book of Ecclesiastes, “There is an appointed time for everything (3:1).”

And so, The Church helps us to order the events of our Salvation by giving us a liturgical calendar; a way to mark the liturgical seasons that highlight God’s promise of Salvation to the World. The term “Ordinary Time” is not meant to identify this period as a time that is just “ordinary”. But rather, “Ordinary”, when used in this context means “ordered”; it is a time where days and seasons are sequenced. Hence, Ordinary Time is not about being commonplace, run of the mill, or mundane but rather a way for us to follow the order of the days, weeks, and months of the Church’s calendar.

If I may, I should like to address the other meaning of “ordinary”; meaning that which is normal. Today’s Sacred Scripture, and indeed all Scripture, is so much more than that. In fact, I would say that God’s plan for our Salvation is anything but ordinary. In a word it is “extra-ordinary”, astonishing, and amazing.    

I believe many of us can retell the story of the Wedding Feast of Cana, especially the main points where the wine runs out, the Blessed Mother bringing it to Her Son’s attention, and Jesus solving the problem by changing water into wine. Perhaps it’s because we can all relate to being in an embarrassing situation. It would be very “ordinary” to be embarrassed.

I suspect it’s not the embarrassing situation of running out of wine the young couple shall remember about their wedding day. Rather, I think they would remember the person of Jesus and how his actions changed their lives and the lives of all those present. While changing water into wine is most impressive, those who were astute recognized this person called Jesus was no ordinary man; rather, He was EXTRA-ORDINARY. And, as a result “his disciples began to believe in him”; and since that time, so have many others who acknowledge Jesus as the Savior of the World.

It’s probably no coincidence that Jesus’ first miracle of turning water into wine foreshadows his final miracle; transforming ordinary wine into a most extra-ordinary substance; His own blood confected during the Eucharistic Prayer where ordinary wine is transubstantiated into the Blood of Christ.

I’m sure you can think of other miraculous events recorded in Sacred Scripture. Let’s think about Baptism. Ordinary water is poured on the person as the Three-Fold invocation of the Spirit is recited. Ordinary water now becomes the vehicle for an extra-ordinary Grace. And the Eucharist: The host is made of ordinary wheat and water. Yet, through the power of the Holy Spirit at the Words of Institution recited by Monsignor or any priest, the ordinary host becomes EXTREMELY EXTRA-ORDINARY. While the appearances of a wheat host are retained, the Substance is now the Body of Christ. Talk about extra-ordinary! In addition, during the Words of Institution, ordinary wine becomes the Blood of Christ; another EXTRA-ORDINARY occurrence.

We can find many other examples of ordinary substances becoming extra-ordinary. The olive oil blessed at the Chrism Mass becomes Sacred Chrism for Baptism, Confirmation, Ordination, and Anointing of the Sick. Ordinary hands, when laid on the head of a candidate for the diaconate or priesthood by the bishop carry the extra-ordinary sealing with the Holy Spirit. Three nails and two beams of wood become the vehicle for our Salvation. Ordinary words, repeated by prospective spouses during the Exchange of Vows, become a Covenant of Marriage. Ordinary people who “lead a life in union with God through the grace of Christ” (CCC 898) become saints. Our Catholic Faith is ripe with many other examples of the ordinary becoming extra-ordinary.   

As we reflect on today’s Sacred Readings, let us look deep inside ourselves. Let us think about the particular gift or gifts God has given each of us. Then, let us consider whether we use our gifts and talents to glorify God. How do we transform the ordinary actions of our lives into extra-ordinary acts of Faith and Love? How have Jesus’ words changed our lives from the ordinary and expected routines of life to the extra-ordinary actions that mark us a sons and daughters of Christ? God calls each of us to the fullness of life, a life of service and love for neighbor. Let us not be simply water, but the best of wine; not just wheat, but bread for others. We can do this. All it takes is Faith in action so that, with the disciples, we too can “believe in Him”.

Deacon Mark Izzo, Permanent Deacon, Our Lady of Mount Carmel Basilica and Saint Anthony Parish

A child came home from catechism class and said to the grandmother, “Nana, we learned about Jesus’s first miracle that He worked at the wedding party when he changed plain water into wine.  At first, He did not want to do it, but His Mother Mary said so.”  “Oh good,” said nana.  “And what did you learn from the miracle?” He said, “I learned that when I get married, I am going to invite both Jesus and Mother Mary to my wedding party.”

It is a cute story, but on a more serious note, this first miracle which revealed the very glory of Jesus and His mission as Savior of the human race is the miracle that the Holy Church of God has always celebrated since her earliest days as an infant Church.  Christ was at the Wedding Feast in Cana.  There He shows his glory and being there He lifts for all to see this great Sacrament of Love in a husband and wife and the fruit of their love in children and family.  This great Sacrament of Matrimony is at the very heart of the Church for the salvation of souls and is defined as such until the end of time.

You know the mail has been a bit slow these days, and I am still getting Christmas Cards.  One more yesterday; I put it up in the back of the basilica Church. They are pictures of mostly spouse, families and the children.  I call it the Hall of Fame.  And it really is – look at the love of marriage and the family — feed, clothe, keep everybody healthy, warm, home, education (for me the handing on the Catholic Faith the most important), good citizenship, work ethic, personal morality,  prayer — lots and lots of sacrifice and love.  It is very overwhelming.

And Jesus as the Head of the Catholic Church blesses all this at the great wedding Feast at Cana in Galilee.  Awesome!

There is a joke out there about a woman who had four marriages:  The first was to a multi-millionaire; the second was to a Hollywood actor; the third to a minister, and the fourth to a funeral director. “Why all these?” a friend asked. “Well, one for the money; two for the show; three to get ready, and four to go.”

Please forgive me for the not so reverent joke … Instead let us look to the reality:  Let us pray for those who have suffered the shipwrecked marriage, family and home. That often is very painful.  I pray every day there be healing. 

And let us always remember everyday as members of the Church how Jesus and Mary sanctified marriage, family and home at the wedding feast in Cana of Galilee.  Yes, that’s it – the changing of plain water into wine.

Monsignor Michael J. Cariglio, Jr., Rector and Pastor, Our Lady of Mount Carmel Basilica and Saint Anthony Parish

Today the Gospel recounts the Second Luminous Mystery, the Wedding at Cana. We hear the words of our Lady today, uttered just before Jesus’ first public miracle: ”Do whatever He tells you to do!”

In John’s Gospels, the mother of Jesus is mentioned just twice: at the marriage feast at Cana, the beginning of the public ministry of Jesus, and the crucifixion, His end.  This may be a way of telling us that the role Mary played was not just being the mother of Jesus, but that she was actively involved with Jesus in the work of our redemption.  We have heard about the marriage feast at Cana, Mary was invited as well as Jesus and His disciples. As the wedding feast continued, and the wine ran short, Mary took the initiative to intercede with Jesus and He performed what turned out to be his first miracle, the beginning of his countless signs.

How did Mary know what her Son can do?  Other interesting questions begin to arise from the story.  Did Mary know when in Nazareth that she was living with the One who could work miracles and yet Mary never once asked Him to multiply her bread, or double her money to make ends meet?  After all, one might think, charity begins at home.  But for Mary and for Jesus, the will of God came first.

Jesus somehow knew He had this power to enhance the lives of others.  After His forty days of fasting in the dessert he was hungry and the devil suggested to Him to turn some stones into bread for His own use, but He did not.  Yet he later multiplied bread for crowds of his hungry followers to eat.  What does the Cana miracle tell us?  Is it that God’s special gifts are not meant primarily for our personal benefit, but for the service of others. That is what St. Paul says when he lists examples of different gifts of the Holy Spirit  and adds that “to each person is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good.”

What gifts has God given me?  Am I using these gifts for or service in the community service or to our church?   We may wonder why there are no more manifestations of the Holy Spirit like what we read in the Bible.  Maybe if we began using of our gifts that we have for the common good – like the gift of praying, singing, teaching, writing, caring, sharing, encouraging, motivating, supporting, being involved, and so on – then  we might begin to see miracles.   Concern for others and our Church, our Faith are the basic miracles.  We could express as our own the famous prayer of St. Francis:

Lord, make me an instrument of Your peace.
Where there is hatred, let me sow love; where there is injury, pardon;

Where there is doubt, faith; where there is despair, hope;

Where there is darkness, light; where there is sadness, joy.

O Divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled as to console;

To be understood as to understand; to be loved as to love;

For it is in giving that we receive; it is in pardoning that we are pardoned; and it is in dying that we are born again to eternal life.

We are therefore called upon today to imitate both the example of Christ and Mary who used their gifts for the growth and enlightenment of the people of God.  Most importantly, we must be ready to take her advice: “Do whatever He tells you to do!”

Deacon Antonio Falasca, Permanent Deacon, Our Lady of Mount Carmel Basilica and Saint Anthony Parish

For Zion’s sake I will not be silent,
for Jerusalem’s sake I will not be quiet,
until her vindication shines forth like the dawn
and her victory like a burning torch.

Nations shall behold your vindication,
and all the kings your glory;
you shall be called by a new name
pronounced by the mouth of the LORD.
You shall be a glorious crown in the hand of the LORD,
a royal diadem held by your God.
No more shall people call you “Forsaken, “
or your land “Desolate, “
but you shall be called “My Delight, “
and your land “Espoused.”
For the LORD delights in you
and makes your land his spouse.
As a young man marries a virgin,
your Builder shall marry you;
and as a bridegroom rejoices in his bride
so shall your God rejoice in you.

R. (3) Proclaim his marvelous deeds to all the nations.
Sing to the LORD a new song;
sing to the LORD, all you lands.
Sing to the LORD; bless his name.
R. Proclaim his marvelous deeds to all the nations.
Announce his salvation, day after day.
Tell his glory among the nations;
among all peoples, his wondrous deeds.
R. Proclaim his marvelous deeds to all the nations.
Give to the LORD, you families of nations,
give to the LORD glory and praise;
give to the LORD the glory due his name!
R. Proclaim his marvelous deeds to all the nations.
Worship the LORD in holy attire.
Tremble before him, all the earth;
Say among the nations: The LORD is king.
He governs the peoples with equity.
R. Proclaim his marvelous deeds to all the nations.

Brothers and sisters:
There are different kinds of spiritual gifts but the same Spirit;
there are different forms of service but the same Lord;
there are different workings but the same God
who produces all of them in everyone.
To each individual the manifestation of the Spirit
is given for some benefit.
To one is given through the Spirit the expression of wisdom;
to another, the expression of knowledge according to the
same Spirit;
to another, faith by the same Spirit;
to another, gifts of healing by the one Spirit;
to another, mighty deeds;
to another, prophecy;
to another, discernment of spirits;
to another, varieties of tongues;
to another, interpretation of tongues.
But one and the same Spirit produces all of these,
distributing them individually to each person as he wishes.

It has long been a Catholic understanding that when circumstances prevent one from receiving Holy Communion, it is possible to make an Act of Spiritual Communion, which is a source of grace. Spiritual Communion is an ardent desire to receive Jesus in the Most Holy Sacrament and lovingly embrace him at a time or in circumstances when one cannot receive Him in sacramental Communion. The most common reason for making an Act of Spiritual Communion is when a person cannot attend Mass. Acts of Spiritual Communion increase our desire to receive sacramental Communion and help us avoid the sins that would make us unable to receive Holy Communion worthily.

Spiritual Communion Prayer

My Jesus, I believe that you are present in the Most Holy Sacrament.

I love you above all things and I desire to receive you in my soul.

Since I cannot at this moment receive you sacramentally,

Come at least spiritually into my heart.

I embrace you as if you were already there

And unite myself wholly to you.

Never permit me to be separated from you.

Amen.