2nd Sunday in Ordinary Time - Year C

Gospel for the day - This, the first of his signs, Jesus did at Cana in Galilee

John 2:1-11 ‘This, the first of his signs, Jesus did at Cana in Galilee.’

At that time: There was a wedding at Cana in Galilee, and the mother of Jesus was there. Jesus also was invited to the wedding with his disciples. When the wine ran out, the mother of Jesus said to him, ‘They have no wine.’ And Jesus said to her, ‘Woman, what does this have to do with me? My hour has not yet come.’ His mother said to the servants, ‘Do whatever he tells you.’


Now there were six stone water jars there for the Jewish rites of purification, each holding seventy or one hundred litres. Jesus said to the servants, ‘Fill the jars with water.’ And they filled them up to the brim. And he said to them, ‘Now draw some out and take it to the master of the feast.’ So they took it. When the master of the feast tasted the water now become wine, and did not know where it came from (though the servants who had drawn the water knew), the master of the feast called the bridegroom and said to him, ‘Everyone serves the good wine first, and when people have drunk freely, then the poor wine. But you have kept the good wine until now.’


This, the first of his signs, Jesus did at Cana in Galilee, and manifested his glory. And his disciples believed in him.

This is the gospel of the Lord. Commentary on the readings.

Having used our prayer resources, you might want simply to reflect yourself on them and how that might flow into your coming week. Some people have found it very helpful to meet with others and share their thoughts.
If you are interested  in joining a small group to share your thoughts and feelings about God's Word from any of the resources you have watched please email us.         cluster.alpha@outlook.com



Questions for reflection (framed for a group discussion)

Mary seems to know better than Jesus when “his hour has come”. The vast quantity of water becoming wine is the “sign” of some deeply dramatic change that Jesus will bring to the world over the next three or so years – a foretaste of the banquet where his followers will be changed from the mediocrity of sin and death to the joy of everlasting life.



  1. Recall a time when you were unsure about a course of thought or action in your life but were persuaded to do it all the same – with a surprisingly good outcome. Who or what persuaded you to go ahead in the end?
  2. When have you stepped in, as Mary did at Cana, to try and make a difficult situation easier for someone?*


 * All second questions © The Pastoral Center


Prayers of Intercession


We pray for Pope Francis and all church leaders. May Jesus’ Spirit lead them to proclaim and witness the love he showed towards all of God’s people.

Lord Hear Us


We pray for our faith communities. May the Spirit empower the people to show their gifts and talents for the good of the parish and the wider community.

Lord Hear Us


We pray for people who are living in poverty throughout the world: that together with them we may never stop working for a fairer world and a future filled with hope.

Lord Hear Us


We remember in our prayers all those who are affected by war and natural disasters around the world. May they be held in our thoughts & our actions in whatever way we can help.

Lord Hear Us


We pray for parents, catechists and teachers, that by their words and actions, they may help our children find the Lamb of God.

Lord Hear Us


We pray for all who are sick in our parishes for the elderly and all who are lonely, that they may know our support during these dark winter days. We remember especially Fr Alex, Fr Nick & Fr Mike and all those on the prayer Foundation.

Lord Hear Us


We pray for those who have died recently - Josie Marino Perry, George Lynch, Freda Horrocks, Patricia Hunter, Theresa Martin & Marie Purden. And for those who’s anniversaries occur at this time. May they be gathered into the kingdom by God, who first called them by name.

Lord Hear Us



We will now say together the prayer to be missionary disciples.


Cluster prayer

Lord continue to bless our community in this time of transition.

Help us on our journey to grow from a maintenance church to a missionary church.
Give us the courage to be missionary disciples.
Make our doors wide enough to receive all who need human love and fellowship; narrow enough to shut out all envy, pride and prejudice.

Kindle in us the fire of your love that all who come here will find joy, peace and love.

Make this a house of prayer and a gateway to your kingdom.

AMEN

Preparing for next week -  3rd Sunday in Ordinary Time

Luke 1:1-4; 4:14-21 ‘Today this Scripture has been fulfilled.’


Inasmuch as many have undertaken to compile a narrative of the things that have been accomplished among us, just as those who from the beginning were eyewitnesses and ministers of the word have delivered them to us, it seemed good to me also, having followed all things closely for some time past, to write an orderly account for you, most excellent Theophilus, that you may have certainty concerning the things you have been taught.


At that time: Jesus returned in the power of the Spirit to Galilee, and a report about him went out through all the surrounding country. And he taught in their synagogues, being glorified by all.


And he came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up. And as was his custom, he went to the synagogue on the Sabbath day, and he stood up to read. And the scroll of the prophet Isaiah was given to him. He unrolled the scroll, and found the place where it was written,


‘The Spirit of the Lord is upon me,

because he has anointed me

to proclaim good news to the poor.

He has sent me to proclaim liberty to the captives

and recovering of sight to the blind,

to set at liberty those who are oppressed,

to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favour.’


And he rolled up the scroll, and gave it back to the attendant, and sat down. And the eyes of all in the synagogue were fixed on him. And he began to say to them, ‘Today this Scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing.’


This is the gospel of the Lord. Commentary on the readings.


Questions for reflection (framed for a group discussion)


With Christmastide over, we are beginning to read the story of Jesus in Cycle C: St Luke’s gospel. Today’s reading contains the opening sentence of the gospel and follows it with a reference to Isaiah which summarises Luke’s “take” on Jesus’ mission – “…to bring the good news to the poor.” As we follow Luke’s gospel each week, look out for how this message unfolds – right from mere shepherds being told of a child born in a manger to a criminal’s eternal reward as he hangs on a cross next to Jesus.


  1. Watch the video which introduces the Gospel of Luke (8 mins). What did you learn that will help you as you follow the readings in Cycle C?
  2. What do you believe that the anointing you received at baptism requires you to do?*

 * All second questions © The Pastoral Center