Sunday, January 20, 2019

Second Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year C

Readings for Today

Saint Fabian, Pope and Martyr; or Saint Sebastian, Martyr – Optional Memorial

His mother said to the servers, “Do whatever he tells you.” John 2:5

This short and direct statement from our Blessed Mother says all we need to know. “Do whatever He tells you.” What else do we need to know in life?

The hard part, of course, is following that advice. It’s easy to believe it, to preach it and to commit ourselves to doing everything that our Lord says, but it’s another thing to actually follow through and fulfill His divine will.

That short exhortation calls us to two things: 1) To discern what Jesus wants of us and, 2) To freely embrace that which we discern. How are you doing in these two areas?

First of all, discerning the will of God can be hard in the sense that it requires a wholehearted attentiveness to His gentle and subtle voice. God does not impose His will on us; rather, He respectfully and quietly invites us to listen. He waits until we give Him our full attention and then reveals His will one step at a time. Yes, some things have been made clear already through public revelation such as the avoidance of sin and the embrace of faith, hope and love. But when we are ready to let those general commands enter practically into our daily lives, we must be ready to give God our full attention.

Second, we should realize that God’s will, when properly discerned, is not always easy to embrace. He requires everything of us. He is a “jealous God” in the sense that He wants our total surrender. The good news is that if we are willing to give Him everything in total obedience, we will discover that our lives are completely fulfilled.

Reflect, today, upon this twofold invitation spoken by our Blessed Mother. Reflect upon how ready you are to listen to God’s will and how ready you are to do His will, no matter what it is. If you are ready for this, you are on the path toward holiness.

Dear Blessed Mother, thank you for your perfect words of wisdom. Help me to accept your advice in my life. Help me to know what your Son wills of me and then help me to embrace His holy and perfect will. Lord, I give You my life and choose to surrender all to You. Jesus, I trust in You.

More Gospel Reflections

Divine Mercy Reflections

Saints of the Day – Saint Fabian – Saint Sebastian