Last week Fr. Ray spoke to us about a childhood memory that he remembered about his Dad’s Christmas decoration of placing a wreath on the front door and then adding a spotlight. Today we enter into the Second Week of Ordinary Times, but it was only two weeks ago that we celebrated The Epiphany of The Lord. We were told of the Magi following the bright star that lead to the newborn King. Little is known about the three visitors from the east who paid the Holy Family such astonishing homage, but their story invites us reflect on their willingness to journey so far to meet Jesus and their reverence for mystery.
In today’s Gospel we hear that Mary puts her son Jesus in the spotlight as she tells him that there is no more wine. It is through her sensitive awareness that Jesus cam to know the bridegroom’s predicament. In this story, she is not only the mother of Jesus; she also represents the Church. “The wedding feast of Cana is the setting for Jesus’ first miracle in his public ministry—another “epiphany,” or manifestation of God’s intervention in human affairs. Like the Gospel about the Magi and last week’s Gospel about the baptism of Jesus, this story from John announces that God transforms the human condition. The changing of the water into wine is not intended to be an exhibition, but a “sign” of the glory of God that Jesus would continue to reveal throughout his mission.” - At Home with the Word 2016
Celebrating the many gifts that happen within our lives like childhood memories from Fr. Ray that you can laugh about, and even those that may make you feel a little sad, are memories that we should all re-visit and even share. This weekend we are once again celebrating the life of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. When I was a little girl our principal that we would meet in the school auditorium, I was young and not prepared to hear with great sadness about the assassination of Dr. King, but I remember the crying even to the point that our music teacher was unable to lead us in singing “We Shall Overcome.” This memory is sad but it is a part of history.
This weekend over four-hundred and twenty five youth and adult volunteers gather together at Sacred Heart Church Activities Building to celebrate and remember Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Young people came to serve in the City of Detroit by joining in solidarity with thousands of young people across America. Today at Mass our young people will read petitions based on Dr. King’s teachings of nonviolence and peace. What a great memory and teach moment for them and for us.
Their solidarity puts the spotlight on them and in return they become an illuminating star that we can all look to with hope. They are the dream…
“Epiphanies fill us with joy. They generate spontaneous worship and the urge to offer holy gifts. They mark our encounter with Christ, the fulfillment of our lifelong journey to peace, to the God of peace”. –John Dear
Amazing Peace