A Weekly Bible Study by Barbara A. Gawle

2nd Sunday in Ordinary Time
Isaiah 62:1-5    John 2:1-11

This first reading from the Prophet Isaiah sets the tone for the Gospel reading of the wedding at Cana. God is imaged in Isaiah as "getting married" to Israel, reconciling with them in an intimate covenant relationship. God's people are recovering from the experience of exile in Babylon, during which many people believed God had rejected them from being God's people.

But in today's reading the people are "wedded" to the Lord in newness of life. No longer called “desolate” or “forsaken,” they will be called “My delight” and their land “Espoused.”  God will rejoice in them as a bridegroom in his new bride.

Imagine the Lord calling us by a new name, “My delight!”

In the third reading, the evangelist we know as John also talks about weddings. He uses the context of a wedding feast to present the first of seven “signs” in his gospel. Each of these seven signs point the way to understanding the divine nature of Jesus in John's gospel.

These signs also point to the faith response of the people as they begin to witness Jesus' power. The words of Jesus bring about the transformation of the water into wine, and the obedience of the servants show what it requires for us to help bring about the renewal of the world in newness of life. Here, Jesus and the servants work hand in hand.

How does our Lord call us to obedient action, today?

This Sunday's readings epitomize not only celebration, but abundance of new life… as an exiled people is embraced by God’s love and forgiveness… as two hearts become wedded in Christ… as wine, sign of Christ's continuing Eucharistic presence, is poured forth.

The primary purpose of reading the Bible is not to know the Bible but to know God.

Ms. Barbara Gawle leads Bible studies at her parish, Incarnation Church of Wethersfield CT. She is also a CBS graduate and the 2012 recipient of the Biblical School's highest award, The Lawrence Boadt Memorial Medal.