My friends, here we are once again in Ordinary Time—ho-hum! But, as I have said in the past, this time, the greatest portion of our Church Year, which weaves itself in and out of the “big times,” Advent, Christmas, Lent and Easter, is really anything but “ordinary,” and in fact, we would do well to rename it, “Extra-Ordinary,” because the readings for each week during these 30+ Sundays are full of challenge to be our best selves.
So, for the next 7 Sundays with one in between for the Presentation of the Baby Jesus in the temple, we will be in Ordinary Time trying our best to walk in our brother Jesus’ footsteps. This year, the string of Sundays in Ordinary Time is, as I said above, separated by the Presentation which falls on February 2nd and that happens to be a Sunday this year, so it supersedes the one in Ordinary Time.

We, as you will remember, already reflected on the readings from Jesus being taken to the temple by his parents, on Holy Family Sunday. I believe this feast which lifts up Jesus being presented-to-the-world, as a model for us to follow, shows the wisdom of the Church in having us ponder its mysteries twice in a few weeks. A tidbit that Robert would share, if I didn’t do it first, would be that February 2nd, is the official end of the Christmas Season, and his reason for keeping at least some Christmas lights shining till then!

So my friends, with that bit of opening, let’s get to the heart of things. The “ordinary” readings for today, while, as always, encouraging us to, “be our best,” also lift up for us a God who loves us in an “over-the-top way!” We see this especially in the 1st reading from the prophet Isaiah. He very simply says, “As the newly married rejoice in each other, so will your God rejoice in you.”

What a wonderful statement to think on—it is one we shouldn’t miss, and surely, not pass over without comment. If we can take ourselves back in time to when we were first married, or if that example doesn’t work for you, then think of another very meaningful relationship, with a sibling, child or special friend, and of your love and care for them. If you can take yourself to that place, then you can know even a bit of the love of our God for you! In your quiet times this next week, you might want to ponder the special relationship you have remembered this morning and then lay it alongside the desire of our God to love you in the same way, only more so than we can ever imagine.

The next thing we might want to ask ourselves is why our God would love us so much—for what purpose? In the very best sense, my friends, I believe our God wants us to know that we are loved so that we can then love ourselves enough to enable us to love others. All the best theologians, in my mind, state this simply—“it is all about love.” Our God wants us to have a wonderful human experience while here, and the thing is, for that to happen, we must be “other-centered”—we are here for ourselves, yes, but for others too, and the intention, I am quite sure, is that we would bring each other “home, one day.”
In Paul’s 1st letter to the Corinthians, serving as our 2nd reading today, we get a taste o what that may look like. Paul tells us first of all, that God is “one and the same,” and in the “sameness” gives each of us a “particular gift” that is ours to hold and use in life, to be our best for ourselves and others. For one it might be “faith,” for another, “prophecy,” to make clear, the way to go, and for some, the gift to preach, write, bring peace, whatever it might be.

What is the particular gift that you can bring to the needy world? Is it to give a friendly call to a shut-in, send a card, or write a letter to lift-up what you see as needed in our world to those who have the power to bring that change? Maybe you can wear the smile you are looking for when out and about—a smile seems to bring one in return—I have mostly found.

We all can take encouragement from today’s gospel. Mary informs Jesus that, “they have no [more] wine.” I often think of his response to his mother as being a bit, “snarky,” as children, even adult children can sometimes be to their parents—“what does that have to do with me?” [He may be thinking, I’m not ready to do this!] And we see that Mary really seems to be the one with faith in her son, that he will do what needs doing, so she moves in her faith, telling the waiters, “do whatever he tells you.” And even this command from Mary seems odd, unless this is a family wedding and she knows these servants—when do a group of men ever do anything that a woman first suggests?!

Regardless, Jesus, a human like us does find his strength and perhaps his mother’s faith in him was all that he needed, because when he decided to move, it all happened very quickly, and a better way forward was found.
Now you may find it strange for me to suggest that Jesus didn’t have it all together, but unless we can see him, while divine, also as completely human, he isn’t much help to us in our own human struggles to be our best. Think about it, we are told that this is his first miracle, and no doubt—in his humanity, he thought, “Oh God, what if I can’t do this?—what will people think?” But when he decides that he has to try, he becomes his best self in serving the needs of others.

And friends, I believe the same is true for us as well—when we are able to balance our own needs (fears) and move in faith to help others, we become as close as ever, to being divine, which I believe our God intends for us—what Jesus came to show us is possible.
In our present-day world of late, several wonderful examples have been presented to us. Just recently, we remembered and celebrated the good life of Jimmy Carter, our 39th president. Along with memory of him, we remembered his good wife, Rosalyn, of whom Jimmy said basically, “she always had my back.” This past week, our current president, Joe Biden, spoke to the nation one final time, basically thanking the people of this country for giving him the privilege to serve us. And a strong woman, Jill was at his side too, through all of it. This past Friday, many of us gathered to celebrate the 90th birthday of our friend, Dick Dahl, who has continually, over the years, done his best for so many.

In conclusion, one final thought that I would like to lift up. We see in Jesus’ 1st miracle one final example of how our God does, and will love us—abundantly. Not only does Jesus make “enough” wine, but he makes an abundant amount! Experts say, the 6 stone jars probably held 180 gallons of water, now wine! We can never be outdone by our God! Amen? Amen!