Praying with Sunday's Scriptures

Editor's note: To help small faith-sharing groups, couples, individuals and others continue the Renew 2000 experience of praying with the Sunday Scriptures, a Diocesan Faith Sharing Writing Team has prepared a monthly series using the Renew model. The series is being distributed to parish leaders and will appear in The Compass the week before that Sunday.

	Jan. 18, 2004 -- 2nd Sunday in Ordinary Time Reading I: Isaiah 62:1-5 Reading II: 1 Corinthians 12:4-11 Gospel: John 2:1-11

By Jackie Staley

Focus: Jesus is the Son of God who brings us God's redeeming love.

Opening Prayer: Psalm 96:1,2

All: Proclaim his marvelous deeds to all the nations.

Leader: Sing to the Lord a new song; sing to the Lord all you lands. Sing to the Lord, bless his name.

All: Proclaim his marvelous deeds to all the nations.

Leader: Tell his glory among the nations; among all peoples his glorious deeds.

All: Proclaim his marvelous deeds to all the nations.

Scripture Sharing:
What thought, line or image from the Scripture readings caught your attention?

Reflection:
Weddings are joyous occasions of renewing love and fidelity in our relationships with God and one another. Jesus' changing of water into wine can remind us of the need for daily change in our relationships - each day a new opportunity to deepen love, to forgive, to rejoice.

In this Gospel we are also faced with God's presence revealed in our lives through Jesus' actions. All is changed when Jesus, who said, "My hour has not yet come," will face his hour by dying and rising for us.

Faith Sharing

1. How have you been changed by your relationship with God?

2. What is one way that you celebrate your faith with others?

3. When/how do you recognize the love and fidelity of your spouse or another person?

4. What aspects of the Wedding Feast at Cana appeal to you most?

Action Response: How do you live stewardship as your way of life?

1. Send wedding anniversary greetings to friends and family as a way of encouragement and support.

2. Reach out to someone who is suffering from marriage problems or divorce.

3. Approach someone who needs affirmation and encouragement of her/his talents.

4. Pray daily for married couples, especially your family and friends.

Closing Prayer
Individuals offer their intentions to bring to prayer.

God of redeeming love, bless all married couples with your grace of love, forgiveness and deep joy. Help us all use change in our lives as a means of helping us become aware of your presence that brings good out of every situation. Turn our sorrows to joy, our weakness to strength. We ask this through Jesus who lives with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

(Staley is a member of the Diocesan Writing Team for Faith Sharing Sessions, 2004.)