Saturday, January 07, 2012 {Saturday before Epiphany}

REFLECTION FOR TODAY
It is better to be the child of God than king of the whole world.
-- St Aloysius Gonzaga

READINGS FOR TODAY
First Reading: 1 John 5:14-21
14 This is the boldness which we have toward him, that, if we ask anything according to his will, he listens to us.
15 And if we know that he listens to us, whatever we ask, we know that we have the petitions which we have asked of him.
16 If anyone sees his brother sinning a sin not leading to death, he shall ask, and God will give him life for those who sin not leading to death. There is a sin leading to death. I don’t say that he should make a request concerning this.
17 All unrighteousness is sin, and there is a sin not leading to death. 
18 We know that whoever is born of God doesn’t sin, but he who was born of God keeps himself, and the evil one doesn’t touch him.
19 We know that we are of God, and the whole world lies in the power of the evil one.
20 We know that the Son of God has come, and has given us an understanding, that we know him who is true, and we are in him who is true, in his Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God, and eternal life.
21 Little children, keep yourselves from idols.
Psalms: Psalm 149:1-6, 9
(A Hymn of Praise)
1 Praise Yahweh! Sing to Yahweh a new song, His praise in the assembly of the saints.
2 Let Israel rejoice in him who made them. Let the children of Zion be joyful in their King.
3 Let them praise his name in the dance! Let them sing praises to him with tambourine and harp!
4 For Yahweh takes pleasure in his people. He crowns the humble with salvation.
5 Let the saints rejoice in honor. Let them sing for joy on their beds.
6 May the high praises of God be in their mouths, And a two-edged sword in their hand;
9 To execute on them the written judgment. All his saints have this honor.
Praise ye Yah!
Gospel: John 2:1-11
(Master Jesus turns water into Wine....The Wedding in Cana)
1 The third day, there was a marriage in Cana of Galilee. Jesus’ mother was there.
2 Jesus also was invited, with his disciples, to the marriage.
3 When the wine ran out, Jesus’ mother said to him, “They have no wine.”
4 Jesus said to her, “Woman, what does that have to do with you and me? My hour has not yet come.”
5 His mother said to the servants, “Whatever he says to you, do it.”
6 Now there were six water pots of stone set there after the Jews’ manner of purifying, containing two or three metretes apiece.
7 Jesus said to them, “Fill the water pots with water.” They filled them up to the brim.
8 He said to them, “Now draw some out, and take it to the ruler of the feast.” So they took it.
9 When the ruler of the feast tasted the water now become wine, and didn’t know where it came from (but the servants who had drawn the water knew), the ruler of the feast called the bridegroom,
10 and said to him, “Everyone serves the good wine first, and when the guests have drunk freely, then that which is worse. You have kept the good wine until now!” 11 This beginning of his signs Jesus did in Cana of Galilee, and revealed his glory; and his disciples believed in him.