Welcome
Welcome to St Bede Catholic Church
The Grace of our Lord Jesus Christ
And the love of God
And the communion of The Holy Spirit
Be with you all
“They have no wine.”
This Sunday we begin the liturgical season of Ordinary time. For many coming Sundays, our gospel readings will be taken from the gospel of Luke. Occasionally, we will read from the gospel John, as is the case today. Today’s gospel passage speaks about the beginning of Jesus’ ministry and his first miracle.
John reports the miracle at Cana after Jesus’ call of his disciples. John tells us that Jesus and his disciples were invited to the wedding at Cana, as was Jesus’ mother. According to the Church’s liturgical history, the wedding feast at Cana is closely associated with the baptism of the Lord and the worship of the infant Jesus by the wise men. In this context, the sign Jesus performed at the wedding feast is celebrated as a manifestation of Jesus’ divinity.
Marriage and wedding feasts are used as metaphors in scriptures to describe God’s salvation and the Kingdom of God. Here at the beginning of Jesus’ public ministry, John’s gospel seeks to establish that Jesus is going to interpret and fulfill God’s promise to Israel. Jesus establishes the new covenant. The hint about what this New Covenant will be like is made evident in the deed that Jesus performs. He is asked to do something to address an awkward situation that the lack of wine at the wedding feast created. Jesus’ miracle produced vast quantities of wine.
This lavish response to a simple human need is a vision for us of the abundance of God’s kingdom. It challenges us to respond generously when confronted with human need today in our life. We are called to respond as best as we can in our situation, knowing fully that God can transform our efforts, bringing the Kingdom of God to fulfillment among us here and now.
God bless you all. Fr. Henry
In the News
Come to a Caritas networking day
Parishioners across the Diocese, particularly those involved in projects supporting Catholic Social Action or interested in doing so, are warmly invited to the 2025 Caritas Networking Day.
Catholic schools prepare to celebrate the launch of Jubilee 2025 as Pilgrims of Hope
On Friday 24 January Catholic schools across England and Wales will join together to celebrate Jubilee Launch Day for Schools, as children and young people embark on a journey as “pilgrims of hope”. Cardinal Vincent Nichols has prepared an inspiring video message to be shared as part of the event.
Pope to seminarians: Life is sustained by countless Simon of Cyrenes
Pope to seminarians: Life is sustained by countless Simon of Cyrenes
Without the hope that Jesus brings, Pope Francis told seminarians from Cordoba, Spain, setting out on the journey of life would be madness.
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