Reflection for the Catholic Liturgical Readings
Is 62:1-5 / Ps 96:1-2, 2-3, 7-8, 9-10 / 1 Cor 12:4-11 / Jn 2:1-11]
01/14/07 ( http://www.usccb.org/nab/011407.shtml)
Stan Doherty

In the late-1970s the Australian government recognized that the natural resources (wildlife, water, land) in many of its provinces were vulnerable to exploitation and that it could never afford to staff a comprehensive network of rangers to protect those resources. If regular folks in the local communities did not assume ownership of their local resources and did not feel empowered to monitor those resources faithfully and consistently, there was little that the federal government could do beyond providing unenforceable laws.

The government decided wisely to study what was already working in the provinces by way of informal volunteer stewardship and conservation programs before inventing new ones. Turns out that there were many successful, multi-generational stewardship programs working in the provinces – they just didn’t get a lot of attention or press. The volunteers in those programs who stayed involved for years and decades did so because they felt that they “owned” the problem of managing resources and acted out of some familiar virtues – hope, persistence, and patience. The Australian government did not need to “empower” them or “authorize” them in any legalistic way; these resilient little groups had already discovered in themselves and in one another the ultimate authority for doing the work – conviction that it was the right thing to do. Sustainable, grassroots devotion to a cause is always bottom up.

Our readings this weekend zoom in on the theme of self-empowerment through God-given gifts. In our first reading from Isaiah, we hear that “The Lord delights in you and makes your land His spouse.” Saint Paul in Corinthians argues, “There are different kinds of spiritual gifts, but the same Spirit … to each individual the manifestation of the Spirit is given for some benefit.” In our gospel we see Jesus reluctantly, but firmly, reveal His power by performing His first public miracle.

Vatican II reminds us that through baptism we are all ordained (informally) to minister as priests, prophets, and kings. If you’re waiting for higher authorities to televise the ceremony in which we faithful Catholics are all officially “empowered” from above to save our church, you’re going to need a new Tivo. Jesus minced no words when He told us, “The Kingdom of God is within you!” If we could only believe that we the faithful own this problem the way that the Australian conservationists owned their problem, we would see that we possess the God-given gifts to forge appropriate and lasting solutions. There are millions of Catholics and Christians and believers of all sorts throughout the world for whom Plan A involves praying and waiting for some otherworldly miracle to take place. Our readings this weekend suggest that Plan B should be on the table as well – roll up your sleeves and you fill those empty water jars – the Spirit within you and beside you will help you when you need it.



In the Vineyard
January 25, 2007
Volume 6, Issue 2 Printer Friendly Version (PDF)


Page One

Diocese/State Watch

LETTER to the Editor

Five Years Later

Commentary

Theologian’s Corner: Gaile Pohlhaus – “What’s Infallible? What’s Not?”

Asleep in 2002? “Archivist of Our Time: BishopAccountability.org”

“It Has Been an Honor” – Executive Director Ray Joyce says good-bye

“Remembering Dot Winslow” – reflections from friends

 


Structural Change Working Group

Voice of Renewal/Lay Education

Prayerful Voice

Goal 2 - Priest Support


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