A home for Jesus

Are you someone who hates to throw away things? I can be like that in my own life, not liking to throw something away in case I might need it or use it someday. I admit that in cleaning out the family homestead, especially my father’s workshop and garage, such salvaging was certainly part of his DNA, so I know where I get it from!

In Sacred Scripture, I noticed a similar circumstance in John 2:1-11, the wedding at Cana in Galilee. From the scene that the evangelist sets, we know that there are six stone water jars empty and bone dry just sitting around for the next ceremonial foot-washing — was there anything else they could be useful for?

Well, Jesus in the gospel indicates that, “Yes, indeed!” they did have a further use — they could be part of His continued Epiphany. … His continued manifestation to the nations! In the ancient liturgical tradition of the Church, the Epiphany of the Lord is represented in three events:  the Visit of the Magi, the Baptism of the Lord in the Jordan River, and the Wedding Feast Miracle at Cana in Galilee.

Community in ordinary time

By Lucia A. Silecchia

Years ago, a baby elephant was born at the Smithsonian’s National Zoo. Since I lived within walking distance of this newborn neighbor, I grew surprisingly attached to him. His antics were recorded on camera to the delight of a cynical city that fell in love with him. It felt, somehow, as though we had all acquired a massive new pet, whose care and keeping was, fortunately, someone else’s responsibility.

Since then, I have had a soft spot in my heart for elephants.

So, it was not surprising that, a few weeks ago, I was drawn to a viral elephant video from the San Diego Zoo. There was a small earthquake, and, apparently, elephants can feel earthquakes through the soles of their giant feet. When the elephants of San Diego sensed the earthquake, they gathered together in a huddle, staying as close to each other as they could, with the herd’s smallest elephants at the center of the circle. When the danger passed, they broke ranks and continued going about their day.

It was heartwarming — but it also challenged me to consider whether, in two important ways, we can learn something from elephants.