9781644135945

The Light of the World
of God, living a divine and holy life. Thus we may understand the Epistle and the story of the
miracle at Cana. If we assist devoutly at Mass today and receive Communion fruitfully, we shall
return home as new men. Then we will live a life such as that outlined for us by St. Paul in the
Epistle. We shall hate what is evil and cleave to what is good. We shall love one another with
the charity of brotherhood, and anticipate one another in honor. Avoiding all sloth, we shall
be fervent in spirit and serve the Lord. We shall rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, and
instant in prayer. We shall contribute to the necessity of the saints (our fellow Christians), and
pursue hospitality. With them that rejoice we shall rejoice, with them that weep we shall weep.
We shall turn from high things and consent to that which is humble.
The change that takes place in the Mass must find a parallel in our own lives if we are to
be properly prepared for the coming of Christ in His majesty on the last day. On that day He
will appear before the whole world in majesty and power. At His final coming the final transformation
will take place. “And as in Adam all die, so also in Christ all shall be made alive. . . . So
also is the resurrection of the dead. It is sown in corruption; it shall rise in incorruption. It is
sown in dishonor; it shall rise in glory. It is sown in weakness; it shall rise in power. It is sown in
a natural body; it shall rise a spiritual body. . . . For this corruptible must put on incorruption;
and this mortal must put on immortality” (1 Cor 15:22, 42–44, 53). Christ “will reform the
body of our lowness, made like to the body of His glory, according to the operation whereby
also He is able to subdue all things unto Himself ” (Phil 3:21). With the same ease with which
He performs the miracle of Cana and the daily miracle of the Mass, He will one day transform
our bodies so that we may share His eternal glory. Rejoice in hope; God “hath regenerated us
unto a lively hope, by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead” (1 Pt 1:3). “So also you
now indeed have sorrow. But I will see you again and your heart shall rejoice; and your joy no
man shall take from you” ( Jn 16:22). “And I dispose to you, as My Father hath disposed to Me,
a kingdom” (Lk 22:29). “Be glad and rejoice, for your reward is very great in heaven” (Mt 5:12).
What now is, will pass. God will renew all things. “He who soweth sparingly shall also reap
sparingly, and he who soweth in blessings shall also reap blessings” (2 Cor 9:6). “Now the God
of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope and in the
power of the Holy Ghost” (Rom 15:13).
Prayer
May the operation of Thy power be increased within us, we beseech Thee, O Lord, that being
quickened by Thy divine sacraments, we may by Thy bounty be prepared to receive what they
promise. Through Christ our Lord. Amen. (Postcommunion.)
Tuesday
“At that time there was a marriage in Cana of Galilee; and the mother of Jesus was there. And
Jesus also was invited, and His disciples, to the marriage” (Gospel). The liturgy of the second
Sunday after Epiphany gives us a picture of the union of the divine King with humanity, with
the Church. This is a favorite theme of the liturgy: the Church is the bride of Christ. To this
union the liturgy applies the Canticle of Canticles, which the Holy Ghost inspired in the Old
Testament. The Canticle expresses the unceasing solicitations of God for the love of His chosen
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