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Image: "Wedding Feast of Cana," detail (2005), George Walsh, stained glass. Church of the Most Holy Rosary, Middleton, Ireland.

Theme of the Day

The Sundays after Epiphany continue to celebrate the revelation of God’s glory to us as it was made known to the magi and to those on Jordan’s banks at Jesus’ baptism—today using wedding imagery. Our God rejoices over God’s people as those being married rejoice over one another. By the power of the Spirit there are gifts galore for everyone. In Christ Jesus the best wine is saved for last. Taste and see.

The Collect for Sunday

O God of steadfast love, at the wedding in Cana your Son Jesus turned water into wine, delighting all who were there. Transform our hearts by your Spirit, so that we may show forth the light of your love as one body in Christ, who with the Father and the Holy Spirit, reigns for ever, one God. Amen. 

Prayer Intentions

The prayers of the church are offered especially:

  • for the needs of the world, especially at this time global pandemic;
  • for all medical personnel and caregivers, especially for those who work with those who are most ill;
  • for those who are sick and those awaiting surgeries postponed;
  • for research workers and scientists and medical personnel who are working to protect us, provide adequate testing, and to develop, deliver and administer vaccines;
  • for the safety of front line workers;
  • for those who are particularly vulnerable to this virus;
  • for those who are isolated and anxious;
  • for the healing of racial inequality, prejudice, bigotry, systemic racism, injustice, and hatred;
  • for the First Peoples of this land and for the work of healing and reconcilation; 
  • for all who grieve for lost children, for the survivors of Indian Residential Schools, and for generational healing;
  • for those who are hungry and homeless;
  • for those who are unemployed or underemployed;
  • for all those who mourn, who are lonely, or suffer from depression;
  • for Elizabeth our Queen and all those set in authority under her, for Justin, the Prime Minister of Canada and all members of parliament; Doug, the Premier of Ontario and all members of the legislature; Fred, the mayor of Hamilton and those who serve city council; for the First Nations of this land, for elders, chiefs, and band councils; for all in civil authority and for all citizens that we might work together for the common good;
  • for the whole church: for Susan, our Diocesan Bishop; for David and Brian, our priests; for Tom, our intern; for all bish­ops, priests and dea­cons; and for all the bap­tized: that God may accomplish God's work in and through us for the sake of the world;
  • for all for whom we have been asked to pray, (especially Betty, Mary, Alistair, Olga), and for the many we know who are infected with the COVID-19 coronavirus, that God will bring them healing and wholeness;
  • for those who are dying and all those who have departed from this life and are at rest.

In our cycles of prayer:

  • In the Worldwide Anglican Com­mun­ion: for the Church of England, and the people of that province of the church.
  • In the Diocese of Niagara: AChrist Church, Wainfleet, the Reverend Nirmal Mendis, Rector; the Reverend Deacon Diane Elliott, and the people of that parish..
  • In our neighbourhood: St Joseph Roman Catholic Parish, Fr. Jim Link, C.R., Pastor; and the people of that parish.
  • For one another, especially for Bruce, Sharon, Miranda, Melodie, Geoffrey, Judith, Ruwan, Therese, Nethmi, and Thiyuni.

Prayer requests to be included on the following Sunday can be submitted here by the Thursday morning before.

The Readings for Sunday

First Reading: Isaiah 62:1-5

The people’s return to Judah after the exile was marred by economic and political troubles. Nevertheless, the prophet declares, Jerusalem and Judah will be restored. God will rejoice over Jerusalem as a bridegroom rejoices over the bride, and the people are called to the celebration.

 1For Zion’s sake I will not keep silent,
  and for Jerusalem’s sake I will not rest,
 until her vindication shines out like the dawn,
  and her salvation like a burning torch.
 2The nations shall see your vindication,
  and all the kings your glory;
 and you shall be called by a new name
  that the mouth of the Lord will give.
 3You shall be a crown of beauty in the hand of the Lord,
  and a royal diadem in the hand of your God.
 4You shall no more be termed Forsaken,
  and your land shall no more be termed Desolate;
 but you shall be called My Delight Is in Her,
  and your land Married;
 for the Lord delights in you,
  and your land shall be married.
 5For as a young man marries a young woman,
  so shall your builder marry you,
 and as the bridegroom rejoices over the bride,
  so shall your God rejoice over you.

Psalm: Psalm 36:5-10

We feast upon the abundance of your house, O Lord. (Ps. 36:8)

 5Your love, O Lord, reaches | to the heavens,
  and your faithfulness | to the clouds.
 6Your righteousness is like the strong mountains, your justice like | the great deep;
  you save humankind and ani- | mals, O Lord. R
 7How priceless is your | love, O God!
  All people take refuge under the shadow | of your wings.
 8They feast upon the abundance | of your house;
  you give them drink from the river of | your delights.
 9For with you is the | well of life,
  and in your light | we see light.
 10Continue your lovingkindness to | those who know you,
  and your favor to those who are | true of heart. R

Second Reading: 1 Corinthians 12:1-11

The congregation at Corinth experienced division as people were comparing their spiritual gifts, thinking some to be superior to others. Paul invites this fractured community to trust that God’s Holy Spirit has gifted them all perfectly for their mission together.

1Now concerning spiritual gifts, brothers and sisters, I do not want you to be uninformed. 2You know that when you were pagans, you were enticed and led astray to idols that could not speak. 3Therefore I want you to understand that no one speaking by the Spirit of God ever says “Let Jesus be cursed!” and no one can say “Jesus is Lord” except by the Holy Spirit.
  4Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; 5and there are varieties of services, but the same Lord; 6and there are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who activates all of them in everyone. 7To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good. 8To one is given through the Spirit the utterance of wisdom, and to another the utterance of knowledge according to the same Spirit, 9to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by the one Spirit, 10to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another the discernment of spirits, to another various kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues. 11All these are activated by one and the same Spirit, who allots to each one individually just as the Spirit chooses.

Gospel: John 2:1-11

Turning water to wine at the wedding at Cana is described as the first of Jesus’ signs. Through many such epiphanies, Jesus reveals that he bears God’s creative power and joyful presence into the world.

1On the third day there was a wedding in Cana of Galilee, and the mother of Jesus was there. 2Jesus and his disciples had also been invited to the wedding. 3When the wine gave out, the mother of Jesus said to him, “They have no wine.” 4And Jesus said to her, “Woman, what concern is that to you and to me? My hour has not yet come.” 5His mother said to the servants, “Do whatever he tells you.” 6Now standing there were six stone water jars for the Jewish rites of purification, each holding twenty or thirty gallons. 7Jesus said to them, “Fill the jars with water.” And they filled them up to the brim. 8He said to them, “Now draw some out, and take it to the chief steward.” So they took it. 9When the steward tasted the water that had become wine, and did not know where it came from (though the servants who had drawn the water knew), the steward called the bridegroom 10and said to him, “Everyone serves the good wine first, and then the inferior wine after the guests have become drunk. But you have kept the good wine until now.” 11Jesus did this, the first of his signs, in Cana of Galilee, and revealed his glory; and his disciples believed in him.

This Week

  • Sunday (16): The Second Sunday after the Epiphany (The Lord's Day).
  • Monday (17): Antony, Abbot in Egypt, 356 (Memorial).
  • Tuesday (18): The Confession of Saint Peter the Apostle (Holy Day), Week of Prayer for Christian Unity begins.
  • Wednesday (19): Feria.
  • Thursday (20): Feria.
  • Friday (21): Agnes, Martyr at Rome, c. 304 (Commemoration). Day of discipline and self-denial.
  • Saturday (22): Vincent, Deacon of Saragossa, Martyr, 304; Eve of Sunday
  • Sunday (23): The Third Sunday after the Epiphany (The Lord's Day).

For readings appropriate to the day visit here.

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