Some of our Protestant brethren do not use a lectionary. Instead their preachers select the text for preaching at the Sunday service. Catholics, and some non-Catholics like Episcopalians and Lutherans, use a lectionary, a selection of biblical readings arranged for a liturgical year. We Catholics have a three-year lectionary. This 2019 year is “Year C,” when many Sunday Gospels are from the Gospel of Luke. But on this second Sunday of Ordinary Time (see Jan. 13 blog), we have a reading from John’s Gospel instead. The reading is about how Jesus changed water into wine at a wedding. It makes sense to hear this Gospel today because this lectionary C cycle is introducing us to Jesus’ public life and ministry. And the wedding miracle ends with these words: Jesus did this at the beginning of his signs at Cana in Galilee and so revealed his glory, and his disciples began to believe in him. John’s Gospel was written around 100 A.D. People expected Jesus to return in glory and end time, but that had not happened. Where was the risen Lord? John the evangelist is teaching us to see Jesus active and present in signs. Eventually this Gospel insight becomes the foundation of our belief that the Incarnation of the Lord continues, that He is present in the people of God, present in the sacraments, and present in the miracles of ordinary life until the end of time. What are the signs of the Lord’s presence in your life that help you to believe in Him?
– Blog entry by Sister Mary Garascia