Gospel for January 19 2025 – John 2:1-11
Gospel Reflections for January 19 2025
Keep the party going!
Jesus did so at the wedding reception in today’s Gospel when the wine ran out.
He knew this couple’s great embarrassment if there was no wine. The party would end! He knew that good wine would keep everyone celebrating their love and marriage. Fortunately, this couple had invited Jesus and He knew how to make new wine.
Today, many people suffer from our enormous LA firestorm. How to recover? This Gospel reveals two clues. First, always invite Jesus into your life. Second, always seek to make new wine! That means you renew your promises often to God and your family. Renewing promises are not just for anniversaries or crises. Wise couples frequently renew their vows to love …in good times and in bad.
I hope that Gospel couple lived a long and happy life, but no one knows the number of our days. Some might have advanced notice from doctors to help them prepare, while others sadly die unexpectedly. Jesus affirms you should live your life as fully as possible no matter how many days you have. However, you can certainly hope that your end is natural …and never at the hands of another.
Our deepest Catholic belief is that every person is loved by God from every moment before birth to your natural death.
I remember a couple that I married years ago invited me to meet their children. While there I noticed a new room beautifully set up for another baby. Long before this new child was born …it was already deeply loved, just as God loves you …long before you were even born.
This is the message of this Respect-Life Month of January.
God designed you with a deep instinct to care for innocent children even before they are born …not as a political imposition …but a real human trait that even led to our evolutionary success.
That is why women rarely want an abortion but may under severe stress feel there is no other choice. If we solve those other stressful circumstances, like poverty, solitude, or fear, then perhaps their choice will change too. Jesus always courageously taught moral issues but always with the deepest never-ending love for everyone involved.
We always hope that all young lives will live a full life. Our Lord’s miracle at that wedding feast affirmed, “Let the celebration of life and love for every person at every age …continue!”
God Bless!
Fr. Dave
In this Jubilee Year of Hope, I am praying for everyone affected by the firestorms in California and for all who are facing unexpected crises. May God grant each one abundant wisdom and grace.
A beautiful prayer!
Thanks Father Dave for your prayers and these great reflections. Being an Altadena Resident has been a bit trying these days and we appreciate those prayers. Being vacated is an interesting experience and relying on the help of others an essential part of Life.
My Home survived but many did not. Relying on others with no access allowed to your home is a bit disturbing.
Faith in God and Trusting Jesus completely to help you through is essential. Thank God for Friends and my Grown Children to come to my assistance. Our Catholic Faith is the prime ingredient to successful Sanity and Survival.
I remember well the four years I served at St. Elizabeth Church in Altadena. A great community of faith. I pray and hope they will recover well. I am so glad to hear that your home survived.
Dear Father,
Thank you for your poignant reflections!
To Tom Joyce: so very sorry that you’re going through this heartache, but thank God that your home didn’t go up in flames.
God bless!
Kathleen
Yes, very grateful for that.
I love this gospel. You may recall that it was one I chose at my own wedding when you married us at St. Paschal. We can “make wine” by spending each day cultivating our relationships with God and our friends and families. I pray that the displaced families will be restored to housing and shelter, food and basic necessities. My friend Karen from high school lost her home in the fires. May her family and all the displaced families experience the comfort and healing of our Lord.
Let our prayers for all the displaced people continue.
Thank you, Fr. Dave, for addressing vulnerable moms and their babies. Your words are hopeful and encouraging and remind all of us to celebrate life and love. God bless you.
Thank you!
Love your loving words, Fortunately this couple invited our Jesus who knew how to make new wine!!! With our precious Jesus in our life He willl always make new wine, Italian wine(haha) for me for whatever happens in our
life Jesus is there to help us to renew and start over with His loveeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!!! We are so beautifully Blessed!!! Sooooooooooo happy Tom your home was saved!!! Our precious love and prayers are with everyone who lost their precious lives and homes!!! Our precious Jesus is there LOVINGLY for them!! With loveeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee, Love, Franca and Dick
Thank you!