2nd Sunday in Ordinary Time

January 14, 2007

given by Fr. Paul Gebhardt

Imagine Jesus enjoying a wedding reception. Jesus was relatively unknown at the time. Since his mother was also invited to the wedding, the couple was probably friends of his family or even of some relation to him.

So, he's enjoying this party with some of his new friends when his mother comes to tell him that they've run out of wine. His reaction is curious. Not, "O, that's a real shame." Not, even "Sure, Mom, I take care of it right away." But he asks, "What does this have to do with me?" Somewhere between that statement and Mary instructing the waiters to do what Jesus tells them, Jesus comes to the realization that it is his time to act and he is supposed to do something about this need that has been brought to him.

Each of us who bears the Christian name walks in the footsteps of the master. As reading from First Corinthians points out, we have each been given certain abilities that we are meant to use for good. Just like Jesus, the needs of the people around us land at our feet. We can say, I'm too busy. It's not my problem, let someone else worry about it. I didn't cause the problem, why should I clean it up? Or it's too big for little ol' me to do anything about. As this gospel tells us, these thoughts went through Jesus' mind just as they do ours. If Jesus would have let these thoughts govern his actions, the wedding at Cana would have petered out when the wine did. The five thousands who were fed with a few loaves of bread and a couple of fish would have gone home hungry that day. Lazarus would have never come out of the tomb. Bartimaus would not have received his sight. The Last Supper wouldn't have been the last. And he wouldn't have died and rose for our sins.

Jesus left his disciples the legacy of his bold action to meet the needs of good people. The Apostles preached the gospel to a world that was often hostile. The Martyrs witnessed even unto death. People like St. Benedict, St. Francis, St. Vincent de Paul, Pope John Paul II, Mother Theresa, and Martin Luther King Jr. take up the challenge of the problems that landed at their feet and found the courage to change the world.

Most of us will not be called to become the leader of a global movement that changes the course of history. But each of us will be called to use our talents and time to address the needs that God puts in front of us and opens our eyes to see. This is part of what being a Christian is all about. This is one more way that we walk in the footsteps of the Master. The crosses that are placed in front of us may not seem like they have anything to do with us or may seem too enormous for us to do anything about. Christ's cross was as big as every sin that would ever committed, and not one of them was his own. The least we can do is do whatever little bit God is asking us to do. It may be tedious and thankless. It may be overwhelming and seemingly impossible. It may even challenge us to give up some prejudice or a wrong attitude. But we need to reassure ourselves by remembering what Jesus did and his promise that with God's help, nothing is impossible.

I hope at this point you are asking, "What is God asking me to do or to get involved with?" And you may be afraid of what it may be. Don't panic. God will only let you see the problem that you and he together have the strength and wisdom to deal with right now. As you become stronger and wiser in His ways, he will show you more, but that's for another day.

Have the courage to accept the challenge to walk in the footsteps of the Master and try to do something about the needs He places before you. Just like our Master, each of us is called to do something to keep this wedding feast called Christianity alive and rolling.




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