Greg Friedman, OFM

The fact of our baptism means that we have a vocation–a call–that’s just as certain as our Biblical heroes today.

Few of us are called to be prophets but we can identify some contemporary figures who fit that role. How do we accept the prophetic message we hear proclaimed each Sunday? And would we invite the bearer of that message home for Sunday dinner?

The presence of God in the Word is one of three ways God is present at each Eucharist. We are most familiar with the divine presence in the consecrated bread and wine. God is also present in the gathered assembly.

It’s appropriate that the beginning of Jesus’ signs–as John describes this event at Cana–happens in the very human setting of a wedding–a celebration of human life, joy, and the goodness of God’s creation. To find God present we need only to look for the signs of divinity which are present all around us.

The signs accompanying the events of Jesus’ baptism ought to tip us off that something important is happening here. The heavens opening, the voice of the Father commending his “beloved Son” to us, and the presence of the Holy Spirit, all point to a moment of revelation.

For Luke, Mary symbolizes the model disciple: Throughout her life she listened attentively to God’s Word. She cherished it and reflected on its meaning.

God’s revelation in Jesus has a power surpassing all our modern technological “miracles,” because it speaks to our hearts. Are we listening? Are we open to the Word?