“Do whatever he tells you.” (John 2:5)

Second Sunday in Ordinary Time

Isaiah 62:1-5
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.

1 Corinthians 12:4-11
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.

John 2:1-11
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.

This Sunday’s Gospel reading tells us about Jesus’ first miracle of turning water into wine in Cana of Galilee. When we pray the Second Illuminous Mystery of the Rosary, we also reflect on this miracle that happened at a wedding feast that Jesus and his mother attended. This miracle relates us to our heavenly mother Mary’s sensitivity not only to our spiritual wellbeing but also to our earthly needs. She interceded for us before our asking.

This first miracle of Jesus also tells us that while his ministry on earth was to preach the kingdom of God, when he lived amongst the people of his times, he took it upon himself to care for them and to love them. He was mindful of their earthly wellbeing. He turned the water into wine, saving the bridegroom from the embarrassment of running out of wine in his wedding banquet.

When I read this familiar story once again, I was struck by what Mary said to the servants, “Do whatever he tells you.” (John 2:5) It was as if she is telling us too, “Do whatever he tells you.” The servants did exactly as they were told by Jesus. They did not question his instructions of filling the jars with water and the servant’s complete obedience facilitated the making of a miracle that revealed Jesus’ glory and “his disciples believed in him.” (John 2:11)

The miracle teaches us to have complete faith in God at all times and in everything, do whatever He tells us to. If God so desires, we who are “given the manifestation of the Holy Spirit” (1 Corinthians 12:7) may become small bolts and screws that fit into His divine plan.

In this Second Sunday in Ordinary Time, which is also the World Day of Migrants and Refugees, let us be mindful to do what Jesus tells us to do to one another. Especially for those of us who were once new immigrants to this country, we know how it felt like to be an immigrant. We know how we like to be treated. So let us pray that when we encounter new immigrants or new refugees from Syria or other places, we will be sensitive to their needs, will offer them a warm welcome, an open heart and most of all, a helping hand before they ask!

Wedding at Cana

Shiu Lan

Shiu Lan is your Catholic neighbour with a simple faith and likes praying the Rosary. With a B.Sc from the University of Hong Kong, she worked in Information Technology and Project Management before working with joy at home.

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