First Reading – Isaiah 62:1-5;
Second Reading – 1 Corinthians 12:4-11;
Gospel – John 2:1-11
Today’s readings tell us about the identity of Jesus, who he is, and what his mission is. We need to know who Jesus is and understand his mission if we want to be his true disciples. We respond to God’s love through lives that encourage forgiveness and reconciliation. The readings of today reveal to us that the Lord God rejoices in the Church that has been instituted by Jesus in the Father through the Holy Spirit. God is generous to his children, and he rejoices in them. The Gospel presents to us the first miracle performed by Jesus at a wedding. A wedding is a time of abundance and celebration. From the food and wine that are served to the music and dancing that follow, weddings overflow with the goodness of life. At a deeper level, weddings speak about love, compassion, and unity. The Wedding Feast of Cana is a sign of God’s love and compassion. Here Jesus takes care of the family who is about to be pushed into a state of embarrassment. At the same time, he accepts the word of Mary to do a good act and present the family things in abundance.
Throughout the Bible, marriage is the symbol of the Covenant relationship between God and His Chosen People. God is the bridegroom, and humanity is His beloved Bride (see II Cor 11:2). We see this beautifully reflected in today’s First reading, where Isaiah uses the metaphor of love between the spouse to describe God’s love for Israel. God’s fidelity to His people is compared to a husband’s ideal fidelity to his wife. The prophet reminds God’s people that their God rejoices in them as a Bridegroom rejoices in His Bride, and that He will rebuild Israel, if they will be reconciled to Him, repairing their strained relationship with Him. By our Baptism, each of us has been betrothed to Christ as a bride to her Bridegroom
In the Second reading St. Paul reminds the members of the Corinthian community that each of them is endowed by the Holy Spirit with distinctive gifts. The Holy Spirit gives each of them particular gifts — special to them — for the benefit of the others, and all point to the glory of Jesus and Jesus’ Heavenly Father. Since the Holy Spirit is the very Life of God, the outpouring of the Spirit and His charisms upon us who believe in Jesus is a participation in the Life of God. In addition, each gift has been given for the sake and well-being of others in the family of believers, and to bear witness to God’s power and glory. There are many gifts but only one Giver; there are different gifts but only one goal, i.e., the common good of the whole believing community. Paul reminds us that “to each person is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good”
In John’ s Gospel, the miracle at Cana is the first of seven “signs” – miraculous events by which Jesus showed forth His Divinity. Mary, Jesus, and the apostles, were guests at the wedding feast. When the wine “ran short,” Jesus’ mother told Jesus about it. At first Jesus seemed to refuse to do anything about it. But later Jesus told the servants to fill six large stone jars with water and take some to the headwaiter. When they did so, the water had become wine, better wine than that which had run out.
Let us, “invite Jesus and Mary to remain with us in our homes” when we feel shortages in our family lives. The spouses need Jesus and Mary when their dreams are gone, mutual love seems dried up, the relationship becomes boring, and raising the children becomes a burden draining all their energy. The awareness of the presence of Jesus and Mary in the family will encourage parents to create an atmosphere of prayer, Bible-reading, mutual love, and respect, with a spirit of forgiveness and sacrificial service at home. This change will refresh and renovate family life, removing its boredom.
The Eucharist is a sign of God’s constant presence where he makes us generous with his love and strengthens our love so that it can become our real paschal meal. Let us make every Sunday Eucharist a special meal to share with one another as Jesus did. Let it bring to us a sense of togetherness with those around us. or, strangers who happen to be present with us. Finally, we know that Mary was there present at the wedding of Cana. Her intervention saved the day. Her words to the servants are still highly meaningful for us: “Do whatever he tells you.” Mary here really represents the Church and it is through the Church that Christ comes into our lives and through the Church that we go to him.
Let us follow Mary’s instruction, “Do whatever He tells you.” This is the only recorded command given by Mary in the New Testament, and it is a prerequisite for miracles in our families. The Bible tells us how to do the will of God and effect salvific changes in our daily lives. Just as Jesus filled the empty water jars with wine, let us fill the empty hearts around us with love. By the miracle of Cana, Jesus challenges us also to enrich the empty lives of those around us with the new wine of love, mercy, concern, and care.