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Word To Life
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Sunday Scripture Readings, Jan. 20, 2013
By Jeff Hedglen
Catholic News Service
January 20, Second Sunday in Ordinary Time
Cycle C. Readings:
1) Isaiah 62:1-5
Psalm 96:1-3, 7-10
2) 1 Corinthians 12:4-11
Gospel: John 2:1-11
In 1995, I received a call asking if I would be willing to coordinate a diocesan youth conference. The position of diocesan director of youth ministry had been vacant for two years and so it had been awhile since the youth of the diocese had gathered. My first reaction to the invitation was "no way." But a voice inside me said, "You are the longest-tenured youth minister in the diocese; it is time to step up to the plate."
So I agreed to lead the team that would undertake this endeavor. I was overwhelmed by the enormity of the task. I had never even been a part of a team that planned an event of this scale, let alone been the team leader. Up to this point, I had been content to stay in my comfortable role as a parish youth minister. So this was a real stretch for me.
I sometimes wonder if Jesus was having a similar feeling at the wedding at Cana when his mother in effect urged him out of his comfortable existence as a son, friend and carpenter and propelled him into the limelight.
His response, "Woman, how does your concern affect me? My hour has not yet come," reminds me of my reluctance to leave my comfort zone to run a large retreat. This is not to say that Jesus was unwilling to begin his public ministry, it's just that I find comfort in knowing that, like me, he was comfortable in his current role yet rose to the occasion that the Lord presented him.
Though I was nervous, the youth conference went off without a hitch and in a very real way my ministry was never again the same. When I look back, I am amazed at the kinds of events I have been involved in planning. I would never have thought that "little ole me" could be a part of something making such a big impact on the lives of young people. It just goes to show the power of an invitation coupled with a blind-faith "yes" that is infused with the power of the words of Mary at the wedding at Cana: "Do whatever he tells you."
QUESTIONS:
When was a time when you were called out of your comfort zone? Have you ever been the person calling someone else to stretch their limits?
SCRIPTURE TO BE ILLUSTRATED:
"Do whatever he tells you." -- John 2:5
END
Copyright © 2012 Catholic News Service/U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops. The CNS Word To Life column may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or otherwise distributed, including but not limited to such means as framing or any other digital copying or distribution method, in whole or in part without the prior written authority of Catholic News Service.
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