Second Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year C
Today we begin the season of Ordinary Time.
In our reading, the people have returned after many years of exile. Now they await the rebuilding of their city. They have been saved and all the world will see how special they are to God. God rejoices in them like a bridegroom rejoices in his bride.
In our Gospel, Mary, Jesus and some of his disciples were at a wedding. The couple ran out of wine so Mary told Jesus to help them. Jesus took six large water jugs filled with water and changed them into the best wine ever. The waiter in charge tasted it and let the groom know it was the very best wine. Jesus revealed how great he was by performing this first miracle.
Special Saint:
St. Agnes – January 21st
Agnes was a beautiful young girl who belonged to a wealthy Roman family.
She loved God very much and wanted to give her heart only to him. She chose Jesus as her spouse and would not marry anyone else.
Because Agnes was rich and beautiful, many young Romans noblemen wanted to marry her. She refused saying, “I already have a husband in heaven – Jesus.”
The young men were angry and reported her to the governor, accusing her of being a Christian.
Agnes was only 12 or 13 years old and would not give up her trust in Jesus. She was beheaded or stabbed in the throat.
St. Agnes made heroic decisions and stuck to them. She could do this because she made Jesus the center of her life. Her love for Jesus gave her the strength she needed to be true to her Christian faith. We can ask St. Agnes for her courage and love for Jesus.