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January 19, 2025

God with Us

Stephanie B. Dunn   |   Read John 2:1-11

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Lectionary Week
January 13–19, 2025
Scripture Overview

The Epiphany theme of God-with-us in the chaos of the world is present throughout the texts this week. In Isaiah, the postexilic Judean community returns to its home and cries out to a faithful God for full restoration of Jerusalem. Psalm 36 looks to God’s steadfast love that surrounds all that is, even in the face of oppression. The apostle Paul writes to a community whose chaos is internal, reminding them of God’s abundant love expressed in a beautiful diversity. This diversity ought to inspire celebration rather than division. In John’s Gospel, we see a miracle that points to the inbreaking of God’s joyful kingdom on earth.

Questions and Suggestions for Reflection

• Read Isaiah 62:1-5. Where are you experiencing the call not to remain silent in the face of injustice?
• Read Psalm 36:5-10. How are you experiencing God’s steadfast love in your life?
• Read 1 Corinthians 12:1-11. What spiritual gifts have you identified in yourself? How might you celebrate the gifts of others around you?
• Read John 2:1-11. How can you bear witness to God’s excessive love?

Respond by posting a prayer .

John 2:1-11

1 On the third day there was a wedding in Cana of Galilee. Jesus’ mother was there, and 2 Jesus and his disciples were also invited to the celebration. 3 When the wine ran out, Jesus’ mother said to him, “They don’t have any wine.” 4 Jesus replied, “Woman, what does that have to do with me? My time hasn’t come yet.” 5 His mother told the servants, “Do whatever he tells you.” 6 Nearby were six stone water jars used for the Jewish cleansing ritual, each able to hold about twenty or thirty gallons. 7 Jesus said to the servants, “Fill the jars with water,” and they filled them to the brim. 8 Then he told them, “Now draw some from them and take it to the headwaiter,” and they did. 9 The headwaiter tasted the water that had become wine. He didn’t know where it came from, though the servants who had drawn the water knew. The headwaiter called the groom 10 and said, “Everyone serves the good wine first. They bring out the second-rate wine only when the guests are drinking freely. You kept the good wine until now.” 11 This was the first miraculous sign that Jesus did in Cana of Galilee. He revealed his glory, and his disciples believed in him.

Unless otherwise indicated, scripture quotations are from the Common English Bible. Copyright © 2011 Common English Bible. Used by permission.

The texts this week highlight the liminal nature of Christian faith. Our world is broken, and the temptation is always there to believe that restoration is beyond reach. The world is not as it should be. And yet our faith compels us to maintain a posture and perspective of hope....

Gracious God, your abundant grace and love are found everywhere. Open my heart to see your plentiful glory so that your light will shine in my heart and in the world. Amen.


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