Father Madden's Sunday Reflection
The 2nd Sunday in Ordinary Time
St. John's Church
January 16, 2022
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- Fr. Madden's Sunday Reflection
- Video Mass
- Sunday Mass Readings
- Prayers: Parish Needs & Intentions / Additional Prayers
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Fr. Madden's
Sunday Reflection
Dear Friends in the Lord,
Last week’s Feast of the Baptism of the Lord is referred to as the “Second Epiphany” as a voice came from heaven. ‘You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased. (Luke 3:22). As the Magi had manifested Jesus while in the manger, so the heavenly voice does also as he exits the waters of the Jordan. Likewise, this week, the Second Sunday in Ordinary Time is called the “Third Epiphany” as Jesus did this (changed the water into wine) as the beginning of his signs at Cana in Galilee and so revealed his glory. (John 2:11) This is the first miracle recorded in the Gospel of John. It is preceded by an intimate and interesting exchange between Mary and Jesus. One reading might suggest that Jesus is impatient, even surly towards his mother. Unperturbed and undaunted, Mary instructs the servers: Do whatever he tells you.
This is a fruitful instruction not only for the servers at that particular wedding, but for all of us in any and every circumstance. If we were to do whatever Jesus tells us, we would live a peaceful and joyous life. The challenge which we face, seemingly, is to discern what the Lord is telling us. This is certainly a challenge. However, I am not sure it is the first challenge that we need to face.
There is a reason that the Sacred Liturgy offers us three celebrations of Epiphany. I think the secular definition of the word is most helpful. According to Merriam Webster, the essential meaning of epiphany is: a moment in which you suddenly see or understand something in a new or very clear way. Prior to hearing and following what he says, we need to see who He is. Further, throughout our lives, we need to see and understand that he is the beloved Son in new and very clear ways.
And yet, Jesus tells us we must remain as a little child. This is the necessary second challenge. A little child always recognizes both that s/he is always in need and s/he remains in the present moment.
If we deepen our faith in Jesus as the Lord and King and retain a childlike humility, we will open ourselves to the peaceful and meaningful life that we all desire. Which is to say, that we will then be prepared to do whatever He tells us.
In Christ’s Peace,
Fr John Madden
This weekend's recorded vigil Mass is unavailable.
1st Reading: Isaiah 62
For Zion’s sake I will not be silent,
for Jerusalem’s sake I will not be quiet,
until her vindication shines forth like the dawn
and her victory like a burning torch.
Nations shall behold your vindication,
and all the kings your glory;
you shall be called by a new name
pronounced by the mouth of the LORD.
You shall be a glorious crown in the hand of the LORD,
a royal diadem held by your God.
No more shall people call you “Forsaken, “
or your land “Desolate, “
but you shall be called “My Delight, “
and your land “Espoused.”
For the LORD delights in you
and makes your land his spouse.
As a young man marries a virgin,
your Builder shall marry you;
and as a bridegroom rejoices in his bride
so shall your God rejoice in you.
for Jerusalem’s sake I will not be quiet,
until her vindication shines forth like the dawn
and her victory like a burning torch.
Nations shall behold your vindication,
and all the kings your glory;
you shall be called by a new name
pronounced by the mouth of the LORD.
You shall be a glorious crown in the hand of the LORD,
a royal diadem held by your God.
No more shall people call you “Forsaken, “
or your land “Desolate, “
but you shall be called “My Delight, “
and your land “Espoused.”
For the LORD delights in you
and makes your land his spouse.
As a young man marries a virgin,
your Builder shall marry you;
and as a bridegroom rejoices in his bride
so shall your God rejoice in you.
Responsorial: Psalm 96
R. Proclaim his marvelous deeds to all the nations.
Sing to the LORD a new song;
sing to the LORD, all you lands.
Sing to the LORD; bless his name.
R. Proclaim his marvelous deeds to all the nations.
Announce his salvation, day after day.
Tell his glory among the nations;
among all peoples, his wondrous deeds.
R. Proclaim his marvelous deeds to all the nations.
Give to the LORD, you families of nations,
give to the LORD glory and praise;
give to the LORD the glory due his name!
R. Proclaim his marvelous deeds to all the nations.
Worship the LORD in holy attire.
Tremble before him, all the earth;
Say among the nations: The LORD is king.
He governs the peoples with equity.
R. Proclaim his marvelous deeds to all the nations.
2nd Reading: 1 Corinthians 12
Brothers and sisters:
There are different kinds of spiritual gifts but the same Spirit;
there are different forms of service but the same Lord;
there are different workings but the same God
who produces all of them in everyone.
To each individual the manifestation of the Spirit
is given for some benefit.
To one is given through the Spirit the expression of wisdom;
to another, the expression of knowledge according to the
same Spirit;
to another, faith by the same Spirit;
to another, gifts of healing by the one Spirit;
to another, mighty deeds;
to another, prophecy;
to another, discernment of spirits;
to another, varieties of tongues;
to another, interpretation of tongues.
But one and the same Spirit produces all of these,
distributing them individually to each person as he wishes.
There are different kinds of spiritual gifts but the same Spirit;
there are different forms of service but the same Lord;
there are different workings but the same God
who produces all of them in everyone.
To each individual the manifestation of the Spirit
is given for some benefit.
To one is given through the Spirit the expression of wisdom;
to another, the expression of knowledge according to the
same Spirit;
to another, faith by the same Spirit;
to another, gifts of healing by the one Spirit;
to another, mighty deeds;
to another, prophecy;
to another, discernment of spirits;
to another, varieties of tongues;
to another, interpretation of tongues.
But one and the same Spirit produces all of these,
distributing them individually to each person as he wishes.
Alleluia
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
God has called us through the Gospel
to possess the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Gospel: John 2
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
God has called us through the Gospel
to possess the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Gospel: John 2
There was a wedding at Cana in Galilee,
and the mother of Jesus was there.
Jesus and his disciples were also invited to the wedding.
When the wine ran short,
the mother of Jesus said to him,
“They have no wine.”
And Jesus said to her,
“Woman, how does your concern affect me?
My hour has not yet come.”
His mother said to the servers,
“Do whatever he tells you.”
Now there were six stone water jars there for Jewish ceremonial washings,
each holding twenty to thirty gallons.
Jesus told them,
“Fill the jars with water.”
So they filled them to the brim.
Then he told them,
“Draw some out now and take it to the headwaiter.”
So they took it.
And when the headwaiter tasted the water that had become wine,
without knowing where it came from
— although the servers who had drawn the water knew —,
the headwaiter called the bridegroom and said to him,
“Everyone serves good wine first,
and then when people have drunk freely, an inferior one;
but you have kept the good wine until now.”
Jesus did this as the beginning of his signs at Cana in Galilee
and so revealed his glory,
and his disciples began to believe in him.
and the mother of Jesus was there.
Jesus and his disciples were also invited to the wedding.
When the wine ran short,
the mother of Jesus said to him,
“They have no wine.”
And Jesus said to her,
“Woman, how does your concern affect me?
My hour has not yet come.”
His mother said to the servers,
“Do whatever he tells you.”
Now there were six stone water jars there for Jewish ceremonial washings,
each holding twenty to thirty gallons.
Jesus told them,
“Fill the jars with water.”
So they filled them to the brim.
Then he told them,
“Draw some out now and take it to the headwaiter.”
So they took it.
And when the headwaiter tasted the water that had become wine,
without knowing where it came from
— although the servers who had drawn the water knew —,
the headwaiter called the bridegroom and said to him,
“Everyone serves good wine first,
and then when people have drunk freely, an inferior one;
but you have kept the good wine until now.”
Jesus did this as the beginning of his signs at Cana in Galilee
and so revealed his glory,
and his disciples began to believe in him.
Prayers
St. John's Parish:
Prayer Needs & Intentions
Please remember the following needs and intentions in your prayers:
- Please pray for our children, especially Anthony. We pray that he begin to make sound and good choices!! Please pray for our grandchildren, Elena and Alex whom rerecovering from Covid! (Zandra V)
- For all those living in pain. Special prayers for Paul and Frances! (Kathleen L)
- Prayers 🙏 please for family and my marriage, for my spouse. (TRICIA K)
- Prayers for our St John’s family that we may soon gather together again. For my boys’ health, for my expecting daughter. (Bronwyn T)
- I'm in the process of trying to get my own place to live and need all the prayer warrior's I can get... THANK YOU AND GOD BLESS (cynthia c)
- Please pray for the health and intentions of Jeff Parson and the healing of my broken ankle. (Steve S)
- For my family’s continued good health, all the souls in purgatory and thank you for my granddaughter’s prayers, she’s going to fine. 🙏🙏 (Anne L)
- Continued prayers for my husband Stephen, who is recovering from Covid and suicide attempt . Praying that he will come and be safe (Michele G)
- Please pray for my husband John who will be starting chemotherapy on the 21st. May he be strong and positive. (Deborah C)
- For Carla who continues her battle against Covid. May God continue to watch over her and keep her safe. (Susan M)
- For the repose of the soul of my husband, William Shea, who died last night. (Helene L)
- Praying for my daughter for her transition into her new school. Answers to hear about my husband’s job. Finding a permanent and safe place to live. For all of St John’s parishioners!! For the end of Covid and all the people who are suffering from it. Praying for the homeless, hungry, people suffering from addiction. Thank you. (Kerri N)
- Pray for all the people St Francis and may this pandemic end (Larry T)
- For Peter, for Dolores, and her family, and all suffering from COVID. Come, Holy Spirit! (John B)
- Offering Condolences to the three daughters, Barbara, Cheryl and Danielle, of ANNA TRUDELL who died on January 13th. May her soul Rest In Peace. (Donna W)
- Please pray for my uncle Nhan Vu, who passed away yesterday that he will rest in peace. Pray for his family to heal from the pain of losing their beloved family member. (Stacey H)
- Please pray for special intentions and for healing of those that need prayers . ! 🙏(Kathleen L)
- Prayers for the Fitzpatrick family, all three recovering so slowly from Covid. (Cynthia W)
- Please pray for the soul of Joshua Peter (Sophie K)
- Prayers for John Lajoie, Toby and Mark as they battle serious illnesses. (Cynthia D)
- For Joe and Mike who have been sleeping outside in a tent without a consistent heat source. (Dan S)
To share a prayer request or intention in the Sunday Reflection, please click the REPLY button at the bottom of the Saturday morning Prayer Intentions email and post it in the comments.
Additional Prayers:
Spiritual Communion - Pandemic Prayer - Prayer to St. Michael
Act of Spiritual Communion
by St. Alphonsus de Liguori
My Jesus, I believe that You are present in the Most Holy Sacrament.
I love You above all things, and I desire to receive You into my soul.
Since I cannot at this moment receive You sacramentally, come at least spiritually into my heart. I embrace You as if You were already there and unite myself wholly to You.
Never permit me to be separated from You. Amen.
Prayer in Time of Pandemic
from Bishop McManus
O God, whose Only Begotten Son bore the weight of human suffering for our salvation, hear the prayers of your Church for our sick brothers and sisters and deliver us from this time of trial.
Open our ears and our hearts to the voice of your Son:
"Be not afraid, for I am with you always."
Bless all doctors and nurses, researchers and public servants; give us the wisdom to do what is right and the faith to endure this hour, that we might gather once again to praise your name in the heart of your Church, delivered from all distress and confident in your mercy.
Through Christ our Lord. Amen.
"Be not afraid, for I am with you always."
Bless all doctors and nurses, researchers and public servants; give us the wisdom to do what is right and the faith to endure this hour, that we might gather once again to praise your name in the heart of your Church, delivered from all distress and confident in your mercy.
Through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Prayer to St. Michael the Archangel
by Pope Leo XIII
St. Michael the Archangel,
defend us in battle.
defend us in battle.
Be our defense against
the wickedness and snares of the Devil.
May God rebuke him, we humbly pray,
and do thou,
and do thou,
O Prince of the heavenly hosts,
by the power of God,
by the power of God,
thrust into hell Satan,
and all the evil spirits,
who prowl about the world
seeking the ruin of souls.
and all the evil spirits,
who prowl about the world
seeking the ruin of souls.
Amen.
PRAYER PLEDGE
Join the team of St. John's parishioners pledging to pray daily
for the religious education and spiritual formation of our young people
In this challenging time our commitment to praying for our youth is more necessary than ever. Without prayer we cannot hope to transmit the riches of our Catholic faith to the next generation; join us as we lift our voices to God and ask for His blessing upon our efforts to teach our young people to become disciples of Christ.
We welcome you to pray a daily prayer of your own choosing, or to use the "Prayer for St. John's Religious Education" below. 👇
Prayer for St. John's Religious Education
Most gracious Lord, we ask your blessing upon the Religious Education program of our beloved parish of St. John’s. Please allow Your love and grace to flow freely and permeate the hearts and souls of our students and their families. Holy Spirit allow your gifts of Wisdom, Knowledge, and Piety to flourish in our Catechists as they pass on the teachings of Your Church to our students. Bless our volunteers for their generosity and loyalty which keeps our program operating properly. St. Joseph, intercede for our parents in this time so that they will recognize and accept their role as leaders of the Domestic Church.
We praise and honor you our Triune God, Father, Son and Spirit. Amen
St. Charles Borromeo, patron of catechists, pray for us.
St. Gemma Galgani, patron of students, pray for us.
Schola Cantorum
Introit
Omins terra
Communio
Dicit Dominus implete hydrias
Parish Resources
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