Second Sunday in Ordinary Time Yr C 2025

Title

Seeing as Jesus Sees

Outline

I listened to a CBA Zoom discussion of Daniel this week

Specifically it was a discussion about the reception of the so-called additions to Daniel up through the Medieval Period. What was interesting was that what various writers or artists saw in the text depended on their gifting, interests and context.

Our Isaiah reading would be read differently by the Church in some northern states who share the experience of desolation and those in som African nations where desolation was in the past. But the author calls us to focus on the coming redemption: keep your eyes and hope on God, for that is the real hope. He wants to shape our perspective.

Paul also wants to shape our perspective. The Church in Corinth was rating gifts. We know that tongues was high on their list and in Paul’s view prophecy not high enough, but in our text Paul takes us to a different level. Every “manifestation of the Spirit is given for some benefit,” and no one has them all. Yet they are equally the Spirit, so focus on God, on the Spirit, who orchestrates who gets what for the benefit and unity of the whole. His perspective rather than your particular interest is what matters.

This works out in our Gospel

In John Jesus is not yet known as a miracle worker, but he and his disciples are invited to a wedding, probably a family wedding, with which his mother is helping. The wine runs short, a deeply embarrassing event. Mary mentions to Jesus, “They have no wine.” We do not know what she expects Jesus to do, but he points out that they have no responsibility to get involved. It is a free choice. Mary’s “Do whatever he tells you” to the servants indicates she does not know what Jesus will do, if anything. He points to the water jars that were likely mostly empty, for Jews washed before the meal for purity. Think of baptism. “Fill them.” Drawing and carrying 120 gal of water was a job. “Take some to the MC.” First, they were taking water from the purification jars to be drunk, and second, it was water, not wine. But they obeyed. And, of course, we know what happened: the MC’s eyes opened, the bridegroom is called and chewed out for holding back the best wine. Jesus has revealed his status/glory, the servants know and are spreading the news, and the disciples start to believe on a new level. Purification comes before the best wine freely given by Jesus. The old wine of Judaism gives way to the new wine of Jesus. The wine from watered is unwatered, pure. But it will take a lot of reflection to “get it,” to get Jesus’ perspective and not just have a good time. Remember, John is the latest gospel.

We need that divine perspective

It can take us from the depression of the present to a preview of the end. It can show us at least that we do fit into God’s plan even if we feel second class and do not see how. We learn to accept ourselves and others who are different. And it can guide us to turning things over to Jesus without conditions and then watch to see what he does. Just remember, though, it may take us to eternity to understand all his actions mean.