Get Ready for Sunday - January 18, 2024

Happy Saturday, friend! We are so excited to share with you what's coming up this week as we all prepare our hearts by praying with readings for Sunday, the day of rest with our Lord.

Live Liturgically // This Week’s Feast Days

Sunday, January 19 // Second Sunday in Ordinary Time

Monday, January 20 // Optional Memorial of Saint Fabian, Pope and Martyr; Optional Memorial of Saint Sebastian, Martyr

Tuesday, January 21, 2025 // Memorial of Saint Agnes, Virgin and Martyr

Wednesday, January 22 // Day of Prayer for the Legal Protection of Unborn Children (in USA)

Thursday, January 23 // Optional Memorial of Saint Vincent, Deacon and Martyr (in USA); Optional Memorial of Saint Marianne Cope, Virgin (in USA)

Friday, January 24 // Memorial of Saint Francis de Sales, Bishop and Doctor of the Church

Saturday, January 25 // Feast of the Conversion of Saint Paul, Apostle

Letter from the Editor //

Dear Sister,

This year the Gospel for the Second Sunday in Ordinary Time tells of the third of the traditional mysteries of the Epiphany, where Jesus as Messiah was manifested and “revealed his glory” (John 2:11). These mysteries are the visit of the magi, the baptism of Jesus by Saint John, and the miracle at the wedding at Cana. We can interpret the water turned to wine at the wedding at Cana as an affirmation of the goodness of the Sacrament of Matrimony, that grace can transform a man and woman into saints through their gifts of self to each other. Saint Paul reminds us that each person within the Church is called to “different forms of service but the same Lord” (1 Corinthians 12:5). Whatever vocation we are called to, we can be confident that the Lord will give us the spiritual gifts we need to live out our call and join Him in Heaven.

The prophet Isaiah offers us a deeper understanding of marriage, showing us that our human marriages are an image of a more perfect union for which we are destined: that of God with our individual souls. The Lord “delights in you” and “your Builder shall marry you”(Isaiah 62:4-5)—He wants to be closer to you than anyone. And “as a bridegroom rejoices in his bride so shall your God rejoice in you” (Isaiah 62:5). This union with God is “the good wine” (John 2:10) the Lord saved for last in His plan of salvation, which we are called to announce “day after day” as we “sing to the LORD” and “bless his name” (Psalm 96:2).

I am praying for you this week, dear sister.

In the Bridegroom’s Love,

Susanna

Read the Readings for the Second Sunday in Ordinary Time:

First Reading // Isaiah 62:1-5

Psalm // Psalm 96:1-2, 2-3, 7-8, 9-10

Second Reading // 1 Corinthians 12:4-11

Gospel // John 2:1-11

Prayer Practice // Meditate on Jesus’ love for you as Bridegroom this Sunday as you receive Holy Communion.

Be a Woman of the Word

About Susanna Spencer

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Susanna Spencer holds a master's in Theology from the Franciscan University of Steubenville and is the Devotions Editor for Blessed is She. She is a freelance writer and editor and a teacher. She lives with her philosopher husband, three teen daughters, one pre-teen son, and a miracle baby girl in Saint Paul, Minnesota. She loves reading theology and novels, attending beautiful liturgies, cooking delicious food, and casually following baseball. She is the author of the Gospel Studies including Seek His Kingdom: A Meditation on Matthew , Listen to Him: A Meditation on Mark, Preach in His Name: A Meditation on Luke, and Abide in His Love: A Meditation on John. She was the contributing author and editor for our children’s devotional prayer book, Rise Up. She was the Theological Editor of the Blessed Conversations Studies. Find out more about her here.