Isaiah 62: 1-5; Psalm 95(96): 1-3.7-10; 1 Cor 12: 4-11; John 2: 1-11
Writing after 515 BC, when the Temple had been rebuilt after the exile, third Isaiah heavily criticised idolatry and other excesses in the Temple, and injustices among the people. But he also had this glorious vision of a restored Jerusalem, comparing the Lord’s delight in his people with the bridegroom’s delight in his virgin bride.
The psalm invites all mankind and all creation to praise the Lord, the one true God.
Over these Sundays before Lent we hear from Paul’s letter to his beloved church in Corinth. Paul criticised the Corinthian Christians for misbehaving during the Eucharist: the rich ate and drank too well, while poorer members of the community were left out. The church should have unity in diversity: different gifts are given to different individuals, so that all contribute to the whole.
After the Baptism of Jesus, and before resuming our readings from Luke’s gospel, we hear today John’s description of a marriage feast at Cana. A happy family occasion, to which Jesus and his newly chosen disciples were invited. Both Isaiah and Paul saw that the Lord longs to join himself to his church as intimately as possible. Water intended for use in Jewish purification rites is replaced by the fine wine of the heavenly banquet.
Psalm Response: Proclaim the wonders of the Lord among all the peoples.