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First miracle reveals Jesus’ glory
Based on Is 62:1-5; 1 Cor 12: 4-11; Jn 2: 1-11
Signs of love and mercy! This Sunday’s readings concentrate on the Lord’s love and mercy for all his people.
The reading from Isaiah speaks of the end of Israel’s exile in Babylon and God restoring his relationship with the nation.
First Corinthians focuses on the spiritual gifts the Holy Spirit freely grants to each of us for helping others.
In the Gospel, Jesus, his mother Mary and some of his disciples attend a wedding in Cana, a village down the road from Nazareth. Guests are having a good time enjoying the music, dancing and wine.
Mary notices the bride and groom have run out of wine to serve the guests. How embarrassed they must be. Mary tells Jesus, “They have no wine.” Jesus says it isn’t time to begin performing miracles. But Mary knows Jesus will help the couple. Mary says to the servants, “Do whatever he tells you.”
Every Jewish household stores six jars for ceremonial washings. Each jar holds 20 to 30 gallons. Jesus tells the servants to fill the jars with water. He then tells them to “draw some out” and give it to the headwaiter. The water is now excellent wine – Jesus’ first miracle. The wedding celebration continues.
Only Mary, Jesus’ disciples and the servants saw that ordinary water was changed into wine. This first miracle revealed Jesus’ glory, his divinity and his call for faith from those who witnessed it. Right there, Jesus’ public ministry began.
Jesus still helps us. Every time the bread and wine are consecrated and become his Body and Blood at each Mass, Jesus is there helping our faith in him grow as we receive him in Communion.
Jesus changed water into wine at his mother’s request to show us how much he loves her and how powerful her prayers are.
Mary will always ask Jesus to help us when we pray to her. Mary loves to take our requests to Jesus and to obtain grace and blessings for us. She tells us, too, “Do whatever Jesus tells you.”
