Scripture Readings: Isaiah 62:1-5; 1 Corinthians 12:4-11; John 2:1-11
At lunch this past week your hardworking Parish Staff entered into a discussion about the Pastor’s Homilies of the past few weeks. Of course they liked them all…. What would they say….
But the staff commented that each homily had that one phrase or quote that was a good guide for thought and action going into the week ahead. Mentioned by the staff was, “Pray for One” and “Be a Star – Lead others to Jesus!”
This week as I reflected upon the Scriptures, the phrase that came to mind was, “Give a Helping Hand.” Isn’t that what Jesus did today? At the bequest of his mother; and who can say no to a mother? Jesus helps the couple avoid embarrassment by running out of wine. Jesus turns water into wine.
I remember a story that a priest friend of mine used many years ago, a story that I have used many times since, including today.
Seems a Religious Education Teacher was teaching today’s Gospel story to her class. After telling the story of Jesus turning water into wine, the teacher asks the children to share what the message of the story is. On girl in the back of the class begins to wildly wave here hand, while saying, “Pick me, pick me, pick me.” The teacher does pick her and asks the girl what the message of the story of Jesus turning water into wine was. The girl answered, “the message of the Wedding Feast at Cana where Jesus turns water into wine is this: when you have a party – invite Jesus.”
We might smile at the response. But at the same time we who have been blessed by God with various talents and blessing, (as St. Paul reminds us in the second reading today), can certainly “give a helping hand” as the moment unfolds or “give a helping hand” in scheduled ways also.
Like Mary, may we continue to see the needs of others around us.
There are a multitude of ways to give a helping hand to the people we live with, the people we work with, the people we go to school with, the people we know or do not know at all.
The Spirit of God, has blessed us with the talent and ability to bring joy, life, hope and so much more to one another and to others.
Loved the grade school students who wrote letters of encouragement to the field goal kicker who, last week, missed a short field goal that would have gotten his team to the next NFL Playoff game.
It’s been said that the action of Jesus at the Wedding Feast at Cana was a sign of what Jesus has been sent by God to do, to transform our world by bringing generosity, hope and healing.
As Disciples of Jesus, may we continue to transform our world, as we become more aware of the needs of others around us and “Give a Helping Hand.”