Mary said, "They have no wine" ....a powerful intercession!
Mary said, "They have no wine"...a powerful intercession!
For the last two weekends, we celebrated Epiphany and Baptism of the Lord: epiphany moments. Today, another epiphany moment we hear from the Gospel of John (2:1-11), Jesus revealed his glory at the wedding of Cana. Pope St. John Paul II gave us a beautiful gift when he introduced the Luminous Mysteries of the Rosary. The second mystery is the subject of today’s Gospel, the Wedding Feast at Cana, where Jesus changed water into wine. The miracle at Cana is the first of seven “signs” in John’s Gospel – miraculous events by which Jesus showed forth his Divinity.
Throughout the Bible, marriage is the symbol of the Covenant relationship between God and His chosen people. God is the faithful Groom, and His people, the beloved bride. We hear about divine marriage in the first reading (Isaiah 62:1-5). God is like a bridegroom who rejoices in his bride. Israel is God's bride. Jesus begins his public ministry by calling himself "the bridegroom." And in today's Gospel, Jesus, the divine bridegroom, attends a human wedding feast and performs his first miracle on behalf of a young bride and groom.
When couples get married, most of the time, they choose this Gospel passage. The presence of the Lord at this marriage feast and Mary’s intercession removed an embarrassing predicament for the young couple. Catechism of the Catholic Church 1613 says, “On the threshold of his public life, Jesus performs his first sign — at his mother's request — during a wedding feast. The Church attaches great importance to Jesus' presence at the wedding at Cana. She sees in it the confirmation of the goodness of marriage and the proclamation that marriage will be an efficacious sign of Christ's presence.” Those days, the wedding lasted for a week, and not having wine is difficult. Mary reveals her care and love for the joy of the bridal party. Vatican Council II affirms the priority of the title “Advocate” for the Mother of Jesus (Lumen Gentium, 62). Her maternal concern continues for each one of us through her powerful intercession. The Memorare is one of my favorite Marian devotion:
“Remember O most gracious Virgin Mary, that never was it known that anyone who fled to your protection, implored your help, or sought your intercession was left unaided. Inspired with this confidence, I fly unto you, O Virgin of virgins, my Mother, to you I come, before you I stand, sinful and sorrowful. O Mother of the Word incarnate, despise not my petition, but in your mercy, hear and answer me. Amen.”
We cannot read this miracle more without connecting the Eucharist, sacrifice on the cross, and resurrection. The first sign, the miracle at Cana, points to the Final Sign in the Gospel of John, the crucifixion when Jesus is raised upon the Cross. Its completion is at Calvary. Every reception of the Eucharist is a union with the crucified Savior whose blood has defeated the power of evil and transformed our world. Mary’s instruction is very important, "Do whatever he tells you." These final words of Mary are a spiritual testament to all disciples.
The Gospel says, there were six stone jars. The use of the stone jars is described in the book of Numbers 19:11-22. Those who touch the dead must be purified with water on the third day and seventh day. Now, Jesus turned around and asked them to fill the six stone jars with water. They might have chuckled or been confused by hearing Jesus' command. But they followed his command; they saw the miracle.
The first sign of Jesus, water into wine, recalls the first sign performed by Moses – at the plague, Moses and Aaron did exactly as the LORD had commanded, and the water of the Nile changed into blood (Exodus 7:14-24). The wine is called the blood of the grapes in Genesis 49:11 and Deuteronomy 32:14.
The miracle at Cana invites us to become Jesus and Mary. The question is how? Let us look at tragedies around our lives. Most of the time, we wonder about it and try to find an answer. It is okay; beyond that discussion, the miracle at Cana invites us to perform another miracle by giving a helping hand through our thoughts, prayers, and actions. It is an invitation to become Mary. Jesus breaks and shares with us at every Mass, and we send out the same. When our hearts move towards the needy, the miracle happens, and this celebration of Mass becomes meaningful… the celebration of Mass will continue in our life. Mary told Jesus, “They have no wine”….a thought for the other!