Isaiah 62:1-5
Psalm 36:5-10
1 Corinthians 12:1-11
John 2:1-11
The season of Epiphany celebrates the revelation of Jesus' ministry to the world. What would this ministry be like? Who would it serve? How would it impact people? The wedding at Cana set the stage for this most amazing ministry, laying a foundation that would capture the hearts of many people, while inflaming the pride and hatred of others.
Usually when we think of the story of the wedding at Cana, we think about how Jesus turned the water into wine. But a closer walk through this story reveals quite a lot more about what's to come from the ministry of the Son of Man. Consider these:
· Jesus, the Messiah, was not above participating in social events or mixing with the crowds. Yes, he often spent time alone in prayer, but he also realized that he would reach people at the intersections in their lives – work, celebrations, meals, informal gatherings, festivals, and funerals. He attended these events, and didn't intentionally make the hosts or guests feel uncomfortable. He would be involved with people in their everyday lives.
· Jesus entered into people's troubles, whether they were life or death matters, or as simple as the embarrassment of running out of wine at a wedding celebration. he was there to help. And if he convinced people of his good and loving intentions on small matters, maybe they would be open to him on larger ones, too.
· Jesus showed us that although he is the center of all healing and help, he works through others to get the job done. At the wedding, he (and his mother, in this case) enlisted the servants to help with the wine shortage issue. We, too, must keep focus on the love and compassion of God as we ace life's trials and troubles, but we must remember that as the body of Christ, he works through the various gifts of all the people.
St. Paul writes in his letter to the Corinthians that, "...there are varieties of gifts but the same Spirit; and there are varieties of services, but the same Lord; and there are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who activates all of them in everyone. To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good."
Some people can help us heal from physical wounds or illnesses, some can help us heal from emotional wounds, some can help to feed us, or clothe us, or teach us, or build us homes and roads. We are one body in Christ, and must learn to live together – for the common good. The idea of being independent from other people is an illusion, and the source of many of our society's ills.
· Jesus had the power to change water into wine. On a number of occasions during his ministry, Jesus demonstrated his power over nature: walking on water, walking through walls, feeding thousands of people with a few loaves and fishes – and even John the Evangelist wrote, "He was in the beginning with God. All things came into being through him, and without him not one thing came into being." (John 1)
So, he certainly had the power to change water into wine. But within the words of this story we see more clearly exactly how he did it. In keeping with the way he prefers to accomplish things, he worked through other people.
Notice first that Jesus' mother said to the servants, "Do whatever he tells you." A good piece of advice for anyone, to be sure. The servants then turned their attention to Jesus, awaiting his instructions. "Fill the jars with water," he told the servants, which they did. "Now, draw some out, and take it to the chief steward." So they took it to the steward who tasted it and declared it to be very good wine.
Perhaps we could look at this situation and see what can happen when someone listens to Our Lord, and does what he asks. Any situation (water) can be made better (wine) if we can all work together for the common good. Maybe all he was trying to point out is that when we come together to help someone else out, things will get better in some way.
The wedding at Cana gave Jesus an opportunity to demonstrate what was to come with his ministry: his teachings were meant to bring people together for the common good; to meet people at their point of need, wherever that may be; to help people through other people, regardless of the need. We are all one family, under one God, members of the same body.
Reflection Questions
1. How do you think the world would change if we all lived together for the common good?
2. Have you ever had any water-to-wine life experiences?
3. How can you become more aware of the needs of others around you?
4.Who can you reach out to for help if you need it?
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