2nd Sunday in Ordinary Time - Year C


YOUR BUILDER SHALL MARRY YOU

The prophets often spoke of Jerusalem as if it were a person, specifically a woman. Today Isaiah makes such an address to the city with a deeper intention. When he wrote these words, the city was in ruins. It's temple and walls were shattered. It truly was "desolate". Isaiah predicts future glory for the city, but he is speaking of more than structures of stone. He is telling the people of Jerusalem -- and all believers -- that God (the builder and creator) will MARRY them. This suggests a future intimacy with God's faithful that goes beyond a mere creator and creature relationship. God will bond with us in a relationship like that of human marriage.

your creator shall marry you

there are many gifts but the same Spirit

 


WOMAN, WHAT IS THAT TO ME?

there was a wedding at CanaAt the Cana wedding reception Jesus seems to speak rudely to his mother. He calls her "woman" when she suggests that bridal couple need help. Actually the translation is poor. Jesus calls his mother, "My Lady" which is a title for a noblewoman and hence a courtesy. Jesus may not be refusing to come to their assistance. His remark, "My hour has not come" may also be translated as a question, "Has my hour come?" In other words he is asking Mary's advice about the time for his ministry to begin. This public sign of power will propel him along the course that will lead to his death and resurrection.

THE HAND WASHING RITUAL

Before eating, Jewish people must ritually wash their hands, as follows: They first must fill a spoutless vessel with water. Then they pour the water over the round smooth rim, onto their hands. The most common practice is to pour first over the right hand three times, then the left three times, using up all the water. Finally they dry their hands and recite a blessing. If they leave the table for any reason during the meal, this process must be repeated. There is no wonder that so many stone jars of water were handy, when Jesus changed the water into wine.

Related: Resources on Sunday Readings - Clipart, homelies, articles, coloring pages, music: Matthew, Mark, Luke, John

© 2000 by Father Richard Lonsdale. You may freely copy this document. It may be freely reproduced in any non-profit publication.Thie clipart and commentatires above were originally on a web site maintained by Fr. Lonsdale. To copy the clipart images, click with your right mouse button and use "save picture (or image) as…"To view a complete list of clipart images and commentaries: Lonsdale Commentaries and Clipart