HOMILY FOR THE 7TH OF JANUARY (BEFORE EPIPHANY)

Homily for the 7th of January (Before Epiphany)

John 2:1-12

The Gospel of today's liturgy tells us: "On the third day, there was a wedding in Cana of Galilee, and the mother of Jesus was there. Jesus and his disciples had also been invited to the wedding" (JN 2:1-2).  

This is a couple whom at their moment of joy and happiness thought it wise to invite the mother of Jesus, Jesus and his disciples to be part of the celebration. The couple didn't narrow their invitation only to the sorrowful times of their lives like some persons do, but also to the joyful times. They saw the value of having the company of Mary, Jesus and his disciples. Beloved in Christ, let's also decisively invite at all times Mary, Jesus and his disciples into our hearts, families and all worth not. It pays to have their company

Many have rightly deposited that the purpose for which Jesus came to earth was to celebrate a marriage feast. He came for a wedding-"the wedding of Jesus and mankind" (cf. Mt 22:1-14; 25:1-3). We hear this narrative in the "Exultet" of the Easter vigil as well, in Christ Jesus: "Heaven is wedded to earth".

The Gospel says: "when the wine gave out, the mother of Jesus said to Jesus, 'They have no wine'" (JN 2:3).   Mary educates us on the need for us to be vigilant about the real situations around us. She invites us to have a sense of Christian realism. To be aware of the injustices committed by people, the hunger within our neighbourhood, shortages of housing, shelter, clothing, health care centres etc. We should be active and not passive about them.

Mary presented the need of the family to Jesus. She interceeded for the couple. Without her intercession, the miracle would not have happened.  Let us draw closer to Mary, our Mother. If she interceeded without the consent of the couples for their material needs, how much more will she interceed for our spiritual needs. 

To the disciples, Mary said: "Do whatever he tells you" (JN 2:5). This short sentence contains the whole life programme which Mary the Teacher carried out as the first disciple of the Lord and which she spells out for us today. It is a life project based on the solid and sure foundation of Jesus Christ. Let us incessantly offer our capital and full 'Yes' to the projects of God in our lives. 

We pray that God may be kind to us in our moments of needs and challenges and through the intercession of Mary, grant us joy and salvation.

Remain blessed

Fr Remi Osj