where he had made the water wine.
The
day after Laetare Sunday we are still in festive mood as we hear the Prophet Isaiah
and Saint John’s Gospel.
Isaiah’s
prophecy sounds the note of the day,
Lo, I am about to create new heavens and a new earth…
I was not enthusiastic about Mel Gibson’s The
Passion of the Christ, but there was one moment that almost made it
worthwhile. That was when the suffering Lord said to his Mother, “See, Mother,
I make all things new!” In that incident we saw Jesus’ freedom, generosity and
joy.
The things of the past shall not be remembered or come to mind.
Is it better to forgive or forget? When I
discuss this with the wounded souls in the VA substance abuse program, they
generally agree we should not forget. You don’t get over injuries by forgetting
about them, neither the physical or psychological kind. We must remember and
allow the forgiveness to come upon us.
But, eventually, with healing we do forget
old hurts. When they’re called to mind years later, we often don’t remember why we got so
upset. God remembers everything of
course. History cannot be erased. But the grace of God allows us to see the
blessings that emerged unexpectedly and undeservedly from even heinous crimes.
For I create Jerusalem to be a joy
and its people to be a delight;
I will rejoice in Jerusalem
and exult in my people.
In the spirit of Isaiah, Jesus promises joy to his betrothed. T oday’s gospel recalls Jesus’ changing water to wine, an
extraordinarily happy event. Something new and unexpected is happening. Not only
is it amazing that water becomes wine; it is delightful that the joy of marriage,
which seemed exhausted and spent, has been revived with the excellent wine of the Holy Spirit.
See, I make all things new.
Very reassuring homily. Thanks.
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