Daily Scripture, January 19, 2025
Scripture:
Isaiah 62:1-5
1 Corinthians 12:4-11
John 2:1-11
Reflection:
You have kept the good wine until now.
These are the words the headwaiter speaks to the bridegroom in today’s Gospel. While they were addressed on that day in history to the man who had gotten married, we can also understand them as being addressed to Jesus, the Bridegroom. They are words of surprise and confusion but also words of delight. Jesus has a way of evoking these responses in all who truly encounter Him. We come to Him filled with our own understanding and expectations. We have ideas about what we want Him to do or what He should do, and often, He defies those preconceived notions. He does something new. He does something confusing, challenging even. Yet, in the end, He does something better than we expected.
As St. Paul enumerates so eloquently in his first letter to the Corinthians, there are many gifts the Lord wants to give us in this life, but He gives them how and to whom He wills. We should be prepared to be surprised and even challenged by their appearance, but we should always be delighted.
Ultimately, there is one gift that Jesus wants to give to every one of His people, and this might be the biggest surprise of them all. As a bridegroom rejoices in his bride, He rejoices over us. God’s own joy… Is there any sweeter wine than that?
Megan Silas is a Lay Passionist at Holy Name Passionist Retreat Center in Houston, Texas.
Scripture: 1 Kings 2:1-4, 10-12 Mark 6:7-13 Reflection: Today’s passage from the Gospel of Mark inspires me when I pack for a trip, even a weekend trip to visit family » Continue Reading.
Scripture: 2 Samuel 24:2, 9-17 Mark 6:1-6 Reflection: If you’ve been following the daily readings over the last couple of weeks, the readings from the Old Testament have immersed us » Continue Reading.
Scripture: 2 Samuel 18:9 – 19:3 Mark 5:21-43 Reflection: Today’s Scriptures challenge us to ponder anew the depths of relationship among family members. It’s so natural that parents are concerned » Continue Reading.
Feast of the Presentation of the Lord Scripture: Malachi 3:1-4 Hebrews 2:14-18 Luke 2:22-40 Reflection: In the world of Joseph and Mary, apart from adhering to the circumcising ceremony and » Continue Reading.
Scripture: 2 Samuel 12:1-7, 10-17 Mark 4:35-41 Reflection: The readings for today confront us with a fundamental and perhaps uncomfortable conviction of our Christian faith—the need for repentance. The first » Continue Reading.
Scripture: 2 Samuel 11:1-4a, 5-10a, 13-17 Mark 4:26-34 Reflection: It is the smallest of all seeds, and becomes the largest of plants. Mark 4:32 Happy Friday in the 3rd Week » Continue Reading.
Scripture: 2 Samuel 7:18-19, 24-29 Mark 4:21-25 Reflection: In John’s gospel, Jesus says, “I am the light of the world” (John 8:12). Then in Matthew’s gospel, Jesus says, “You are the light of the » Continue Reading.
Scripture: 2 Samuel 7:4 – 17 Mark 4:1 – 20 Reflection: Hear this! A sower went out to sow. –Mark 4:3 We are in the midst of winter and I » Continue Reading.
Scripture: 2 Samuel 6:12b-15, 17-19 Mark 3:31-35 Reflection: Today we celebrate the Solemnity of Saint Thomas Aquinas, Priest and Doctor of the Church. Thomas is probably best known for his » Continue Reading.
Scripture: 2 Samuel 5:1-7, 10 Mark 3:22-30 Reflection: There is so much power in forgiveness. If we carry our hurts and disappointments with us – those things that have driven » Continue Reading.