2nd Sunday of Ordinary Time [C]

 


2ND SUNDAY OF ORDINARY TIME [C] 


Early on in life I developed a taste for soda-pop, particularly cola-flavored soda-pop. My Mom did the best that she could to accommodate my craving for cola. I can say that she did keep a steady supply of cola in the refrigerator—unfortunately, for cost-cutting purposes, she would buy the off-brand instead of the name-brand. This means that, upon opening the refrigerator door, I would rarely see a name-brand like Coca-Cola or Pepsi. Rather, I would see a bargain brand called “Shasta.”  In terms of rankings, Coke rated number one on my list, Pepsi registered as number two, and Royal Crown came in at number three. These were “top-shelf” brands; Shasta was purely a “bottom-shelf” brand.  


Why am I sharing this particular memory? It’s because I believe we will be able to appreciate the miracle at Cana more fully if we change out the wine for soda. Imagine a gathering where numerous kids are present. They’re working their way through a supply of Shasta, and now it looks like the inventory is running out. One of the mother-chaperones decides to offer a prayer, and suddenly the supply has been replenished! It’s been restocked, and furthermore it’s been upgraded: they go from an off-brand to a name-brand! Where before they were drinking Shasta, now they are enjoying cans of Coke and Pepsi! 


Structurally speaking, this would seem to parallel what’s being presented in the Gospel of John,  chapter two. The principle is the same, but we’re using an updated format. What’s been stored up has now been depleted; a request is made, and, astonishingly enough, a resupply appears! And it’s of a superior quality! An average grade of wine has been replaced by a premium grade of wine (John 2:10). Or, according to the updated format, an off-brand soda has been replaced by a name-brand soda. Something ends up being provided, that otherwise would not have been provided. If the original supply holds out, you continue with the “same old song and dance.”  But now that the original supply has been exhausted, something new and improved is being made available. 


John outlines both a problem and also a solution. When your levels are depleted, where should you turn? Mary shows us the way by turning to the person of Jesus. Through him you will find yourself being restored—in fact, better than you were before! As was noted earlier: he provides what otherwise would not have been provided. For example, let’s consider what’s recorded in First Corinthians chapter twelve. You can do more than just read about these spiritual gifts; they can materialize and have an impact on your way of life. How? Issue an invitation to the Lord. He needs to be invited into your life. Don’t expect him to “crash” or to intrude (see Revelation 3:20). Jesus waits to see whether or not he’s going to be invited in. Recall again what takes place at the wedding feast in Cana. What takes place can only be described as a miracle. And it’s all made possible by the fact that somebody had the good sense to extend an invitation to Jesus. 


In the Book of Isaiah we hear about a distance that has formed—a gulf that separates humanity from the Lord (62:4). He is more than ready to close the distance. We need to do our part. Make the sensible choice: invite the Lord into your life. May the welcome you convey be understood as a PERPETUAL welcome. We want the Lord present within our lives, providing what otherwise would not ever be provided. 

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