Lovely Wine at Cana

Second Sunday in Ordinary Time C

John 2:1-12

January 16-17, 2009

Lovely Wine at Cana

One Sunday night, a police officer signals to a car driver to pull over to the side of the road, due to the fact that he appears to be driving crazy.

He says to the driver, "You appear to have been drinking!"

The driver answers, "No sir, I am just tired. I had a long day."

The policeman looks into the car and notices that the driver is wearing a Roman collar. He is a priest! He also notices that there is an empty bottle on the floor.

He says to the driver, "Father, what is, or should I say was in this bottle?

The driver answers, "Just water!"

The policeman opens the bottle and says, "Father, I am afraid it's not water, it's wine!"

The priest driver looks up to the heavens and says, "I can't believe it. It's a miracle! Oh Lord, you have done it again!"

The Gospel story of the Wedding at Cana where Jesus changed water into wine is a relevant story.

We can only find this story in the Gospel of John. The Synoptic Gospels, namely, Matthew, Mark and Luke, don’t have a record of it. The Gospel of John, also called the Fourth Gospel, compared to the Synoptic Gospels is highly theological and filled with deep symbolism. There are symbolic figures and images used to glorify Jesus as the Son of God, the Messiah. And one of the best examples of a story filled with symbolisms is the Wedding at Cana.

First, it is in Cana that Jesus performs his first miracle (“sign”) and reveals his glory. It is here too that his disciples begin to believe in him.

Second, the sign is performed by Jesus upon the intervention of his Mother. This tells us the role of Mary in our Christian life – she is our intercessor or helper because she is mindful and aware of our needs. When we pray to Mary, we can always expect that she is interceding and aiding us in prayer to her Son on our behalf.

Third, Jesus addressed Mary as “Woman” not “Mother”. The word “Woman” in no way shows lack of respect to Mary but in fact Jesus raises the prominent role of Mary as the New Eve.

Fourth, Jesus refers for the first time here to his “hour”. He said, “My hour has not yet come.” The “hour” is a word he will use later on as he approaches his Passion-Death-Resurrection.

There are more other images and symbols we can look up it’s impossible to expound them all in ten minutes.

Human story

I think we can all relate with the human side of the Wedding of Cana. During the party Mary comes to know that the wine has run out. This is a very serious predicament that can lead to a serious disaster. It would be very embarrassing for the newly-wed couple should the wine run short for the guests. If you are hosting a party you have to make sure that there will be enough food and drink for everybody.

I remember three years ago, shortly after my ordination I went back home to the Philippines to celebrate a "Thanksgiving Mass" in my home parish. For a newly-ordained priest first “Thanksgiving Mass” is really a festive celebration. It’s an open invitation to the whole town and parish community.

My mother and sisters planned carefully how much food and drinks needed. We hired a food catering service. There were seven roasted pigs in addition to other menus. While my mother didn’t worry if we ran out of wine, it’s not our tradition, she was rather very concerned if we had enough rice to feed at least 2000 people who turned up! Thankfully we had more than enough food and drinks to satisfy our guests.

Meaning of the Story

Going back to the Gospel Story. Jesus changed water into wine not simply to save the newly-wed couple from embarrassment. Again it is a symbolic story. It has much to tell us as a sign of something deeper.

It is really a story about Jesus and his mission. It tells us that Jesus is the “true God-become human.” When Jesus dwells in us we will be transformed and have life in abundance. When water is changed into the best sparkling wine, more than enough for the guests, Jesus demonstrates a superabundant blessing we can all receive from Him.

Jesus performs signs and miracles not to entertain people but to invite them to faith. Jesus performed hundreds of miracles in his time; he cured the sick, raised the dead, walked on the water, to name a few, but still not everyone believed in him.

Miracles happen in our daily life. Even in this Mass, believe it or not, the greatest miracle will happen, later on the Holy Spirit will change the Bread and Wine into the sacred Body and Blood of Jesus for our nourishment.

People can still refuse to believe in miracle. Jesus respects our freedom. We have a choice either to believe or not to believe. Notice how John ends the Gospel reading today: “..at Cana in Galilee. He let his glory be seen, and his disciples believed in him.”

If we believe in Jesus' power then we are His new disciples. If we believe in Jesus, trust him with all our hearts and minds then...

• Jesus can change our fear into trust.
• He can change our sorrow into joy.
• He can change our depression into hope.
• He can change our anxiety and fear into peace.
• He can change our weakness into strength.
• He can change our selfishness and hatred into love.

If we have faith in Jesus, if He is welcomed in homes, hundreds of miracles can always happen in our life. Water is change into wine. It means with Jesus, and with Mary in our life, we can be assured, the best is yet to come.

joke from the internet

suggested reading: "Jesus Goes Public" by Bishop Ted Bacani