He Does Not Keep Silent

 

God does not keep silent over the issue of His people.

Reflection on Today’s Readings, 2nd Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year C, Jan. 19th, 2025
Texts: Isaiah 62:1-5; Psalm 96:1-3,7-10; 1 Corinthians 12:4-11; John 2:1-11 

God tells us, today, that He does not keep silent over the issue of His people. In the words of prophet Isaiah: “For Zion's sake I will not keep silent, and for Jerusalem's sake I will not rest, until her vindication goes forth as brightness, and her salvation as a burning torch.” 

Are you among those who think God has kept quiet over their issues? It is not true; God does not keep silent over the issue of His people. He reminds us, today, that He cares about us and that He is committed to our good. In the words of St. Peter: “Cast all your anxiety on him, because he cares for you” (1Pet. 5:7).  

He will not fail to help us 

God is committed to vindicate us. Of what does He want to vindicate us? He will vindicate our claim that we are His children. The ungodly says, “Let us see if his words are true, and let us test what will happen at the end of his life. For if the righteous man is God's child, he will help him, and will deliver him from the hand of his adversaries” (Wisdom 2:18-19). He will not fail to help us because we are His children.  

The changing of water to wine, in today’s gospel reading, vindicate Jesus Christ as the Son of God. Hence, it is said, “This, the first of his signs,  Jesus did at Cana in Galilee, and manifested his glory, and his disciples believed in him.” The manifestation of His glory is vindication; it shows that He is the Son of God and Lord of creation.  

Jesus is God

Only God, the Lord of creation, can change the nature of things. This is clear in the first reading: “And you shall be called by a new name which the mouth of the  Lord will give.” This manifested in Jesus’ changing of water to wine, the name, ‘water’ change to ‘wine’. This shows that Jesus is God. Jesus Christ can change our lives for better.  

If we allow Jesus to work on us, our lives will be better than what people can imagine or think of. This is clear in the words of the steward of the marriage feast: "Every man serves the good wine first; and when men have drunk freely, then the poor wine; but you have kept the good wine until now." Let us submit to Jesus for renewal and rebirth.  

All things work together for good for our good

The miracle of changing water to wine also reminds us that God can do unimaginable thing to save us. This confirms the words of St. Paul: We know that all things work together for good for those who love God, who are called according to his purpose (Rom. 8:28). Creation can change its course for the good of the children of God. Mary gave birth without a man for salvation of mankind; Sarah gave birth when her time of giving birth has expired by nature.  

God also reveals His commitment to our good through manifestation of His Spirit in different ways. Hence, St. Paul, in today’s second reading, says, “To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good.” Whatever gift we have it is the manifestation of God’s Spirit for the good of humanity. Hence, we are to use our gifts in service of God and humanity. God gives us His Spirit to participate in His commitment to save humanity.  

Participation in His redemptive works

God's gift to us is a call to serve humanity and a participation in His redemptive works. Blessed Virgin Mary, in today’s gospel reading, responds to God’s call to serve humanity and participate in His redemptive works. We read, “When the wine failed, the mother of  Jesus said to him, ‘They have no wine.’ ... His (Jesus’) mother said to the servants, ‘Do whatever he tells you.’" Blessed Virgin Mary teaches us to take initiative to help, not until we are asked. 

The message, today, is that God never keeps silent over our issues; His gift to us is to be like Him in committing to the good of humanity; and Blessed Virgin Mary teaches us to take initiative to help our neighbours.  

Prayer  

Almighty ever-living God, who govern all things, both in heaven and on earth, mercifully hear the pleading of your people and bestow your peace on our times. Amen  

Fr. Andrew Olowomuke