Readings: Isaiah 62:1-5, Ps. 96:1-3,7-10, 1 Cor. 12:4-11, John 2:1-11
“‘Every man serves the good wine first; and when men have drunk freely, then the poor wine; but you have kept the good wine until now.’ This, the first of his signs, Jesus did at Cana in Galilee and manifested his glory; and his disciples believed in him.’” (John 2:10-11)
Today’s liturgy completes the trio of events that make up Jesus' Epiphany. The first was the visit of the Magi, which we celebrated two Sundays ago. The second was Jesus' baptism, which took place last Sunday. Today, we celebrate the third event that manifested Jesus’ divinity: changing water into wine at the Wedding Feast at Cana.
Let us now examine some lessons in today’s readings:
1. The Wedding Feast at Cana: Mary’s Epiphany
At Jesus’ baptism last Sunday, God the Father announced Jesus as His beloved Son to the world. Today, at the Wedding Feast, Mary, Jesus’ mother, plays a vital role in announcing Jesus to the world by insisting Jesus worked his first miracle. Instead of “Mother,” Jesus addressed Mary as “Woman.” “O woman, what have you to do with me? My hour has not yet come.” (John 2:4)
By addressing Mary with the words “O woman”, Jesus effectively revealed Mary as the woman God spoke about in Genesis 3:15. “I will put enmity between you and the woman and between your seed and her seed; he shall bruise your head, and you shall bruise his heel.” Mary is that woman that woman whose seed, Jesus, would bruise the head of the devil.
Again, Mary is that woman John wrote about in Revelations 12. “And the dragon stood before the woman who was about to bear a child, that he might devour her child when she brought it forth; she brought forth a male child, one who is to rule all the nations with a rod of iron, but her child was caught up to God and his throne… Then the dragon was angry with the woman and went off to make war on the rest of her offspring, on those who keep the commandments of God and bear testimony to Jesus.” (Revelation 12:4-6,17)
2. The Wedding Feast at Cana: An Epiphany of Marriage
Today’s event occurred at the beginning of Jesus’ public ministry. Many people were waiting to hear God’s words, many were waiting for healing from sicknesses and diseases, and many were suffering under various attacks and oppression by demons; Jesus left everything else and went to attend a wedding! This teaches us how much God values the institution of marriage.
The fact that Jesus worked his first miracle at a Wedding again speaks volumes of God’s desire for happy marriages. Jesus would tell us: “From the beginning of creation, God made them male and female. For this reason, a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh… What therefore God has joined together, let not man put asunder.” (Mark 10:6-9). Marriage is good. Marriage is very important to God.
3. The Wedding Feast at Cana: An Epiphany of Our Union with God
In today’s first reading, we hear the prophet Isaiah saying: “You shall be a crown of beauty… no more forsaken…you land married…as the bridegroom rejoices over the bride, so shall your God rejoice over you.” Beyond being a guest, Jesus’ presence at the wedding feast at Cana was a practical fulfilment of Isaiah’s prophecy wherein God himself is the Bridegroom rejoicing over us, His Bride.
Our relationship with God is nothing short of a marital union. As the groom desires the good of the bride, so does God desire our good. Again, God rejoices over us as the groom finds joy in the bride. St. Augustine rightly puts it when he said: “Our hearts are restless until they find rest in God,” meaning that only God, our groom, can truly give us joy.
4. The Wedding Feast at Cana: An Epiphany of Human Predicament
For Jesus and His Mother to have been invited to a wedding feast meant the couple prepared adequately. Nevertheless, even with the presence of Jesus and Mary, they ran out of wine. Never make the mistake of assuming God has abandoned you because you are facing problems. Being a Christian does not make you immune from problems in life. Rather, it assures you of victory regardless of what life may throw at you. While the presence of Jesus did not prevent the wine from running out, it prevented the shortage of wine from becoming an embarrassment.
The shortage of wine at a wedding feast had a deep meaning in the culture of that time. It was a bad omen, a sign of marital unhappiness, and a cause for ridicule and shame from the community. The shortage of wine represents our human imperfections, the weaknesses we have to struggle with, and the sad times that must come. It also represents friction in marital relationships, quarrels, fighting, and disagreement. Today, we pray for marriages whose wine has run out, unhappy marriages, and marriages on the verge of a breakdown. We pray that as Jesus provided wine for this marriage, He would restore joy and peace to your marriage so that things would begin to work for your good.
5. The Wedding Feast at Cana: An Epiphany of Mary’s Intercessory Role
When the couple ran out of wine, Mary told Jesus, “They have no wine.” Fr. Fernandez says, “Why do Mary’s prayers have such efficacy before God? The prayers of saints are servants’ prayers, whereas those of Mary are the prayers of a Mother, whence they receive their efficacy and authoritative character. Jesus’ love for his mother is limitless, so she cannot ask for anything without being heard.” This is why we ask Mary to intercede on our behalf.
Mary instructed the servants: “Do whatever He tells you.” Every sin is an act of disobedience, a rebellion against the authority of God, and its consequence is death (Romans 6:23). If we don’t do what Jesus tells us, we cannot enjoy the gifts he bestows on us. The servants knew they needed wine, and Jesus told them to: “Fill the jars with water.” The commandments of God are just like that; sometimes, they don’t make sense to us, but if we trust and obey like these servants, we are sure to receive great miracles.
6. The Wedding Feast at Cana: An Epiphany of Spiritual Gifts.
The wedding guests must have come with gifts for this couple, but the greatest gift they received that day was that of Jesus Christ, who turned water into wine, saving them from embarrassment. Jesus did not give them ordinary (cheap) wine; He gave them the best wine, as the steward confessed.
In today’s second reading, St. Paul tells us: “There are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; and there are varieties of service, but the same Lord; and there are varieties of working, but it is the same God who inspires them all in everyone. Each is given the manifestation (epiphany) of the Spirit for the common good.” (1 Corinthians 12:4-7).
You cannot have the Holy Spirit in you without it manifesting in one form or another. The manifestations of the Holy Spirit include wisdom, knowledge, faith, healing, working of miracles, prophecy, the ability to distinguish between spirits, various kinds of tongues, and interpretation of tongues. (1 Corinthians 12:8-11). If we truly have the Holy Spirit, these things would characterise our lives.
Conclusion
In the wedding feast at Cana, Jesus revealed his true identity as God, who has power over the whole of creation. By agreeing to turn water into wine at a wedding, Jesus, who (during His temptations) refused to turn stones into bread, teaches us the importance of marriage, his love for us as our Groom, and his respect for Mary, his Mother. I understand those who find asking for Mary’s intercession difficult. However, I can testify that I have never sought Mary’s intercession without receiving what I asked. Feel free to pray to God as you are most comfortable, but refrain from criticising those who take Mary as their mother. Even if you hate Mary, remember her saying, “Do whatever He tells you.” If you do what Jesus tells you, everything will be well with you.
Let us pray: Almighty, ever-living God, we invite you into our marriages, especially those that have run out of wine, and restore love and trust in unhappy marriages. We ask this through Our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God forever and ever. Amen.
Be Happy. Live Positive. Have Faith. It is well with you. May God’s abundant blessings be upon us all. (2nd Sunday in Ordinary Time Liturgical Colour: Green. Bible Study: Isaiah 62:1-5, Ps. 96:1-3,7-10, 1 Cor. 12:4-11, John 2:1-11).
@Rev. Fr. Evaristus E. Abu