The gospel is a popular story of the wedding miracle at Cana in Galilee. It shows various dimensions of relationships and emotions. It also identifies symbols that form the basis for the church’s teachings on the sacrament of marriage. Jesus turns water into wine at a critical time in the celebration of marriage. The miracle happens at the instance of Mary, the mother of Christ. The head-waiter reacts with surprise and questions the bridegroom for keeping the better wine last. That gospel concludes by saying, “Jesus did this as the beginning of his signs at Cana in Galilee and so revealed his glory, and his disciples began to believe in him.”
Recently, I officiated at my brother’s wedding and witnessed firsthand the joyful commotion of a wedding reception. It has become common practice that more people show up at the reception than at the church. My brother’s case was not different. At that reception, a lot of attention is focused on serving food and drinks. At some point, I had to go to the food and drink sessions to be sure there was no confusion and that there was still so much to serve. The waiters needed some guidance to make the proper rounds. What if we ran out of wine at that wedding? Confusion. Disappointment. Frustration. Anxiety. Failure. It could ruin the joy of the moment. Imagine those words from the Blessed Mother at Cana when she said to Jesus, “They have no wine.”
Pope Francis identified the importance of the wedding wine this way, “How is it possible to celebrate the wedding and have a party if you lack what the prophets indicated was a typical element of the messianic banquet?” In a sense, wedding joy is sustained by good wine and drinks. But is the wedding feast at Cana all about food and drink? Why would Jesus take a special interest in the wine? Why would his mother be involved in the first place? The answer is that the wedding feast at Cana presents a larger narrative of faith and community for believers in Christ. According to the Holy Father, “Wine is necessary for the feast.” Jesus, in turning the water into wine, makes “an eloquent sign,” because “he transforms the Law of Moses into the Gospel, bringer of joy.”
The Wedding Feast at Cana teaches three main lessons:
Obedience to God’s word: Mary’s voice signals God’s demand for the people, “Do whatever he tells you.” Obedience is important for receiving grace.
Marriage as a sacrament: The presence/action of Jesus and his disciples at the wedding symbolizes a divine mission of consecrating marriage relationships. The story helps us to understand the church’s teaching that marriage is a sacrament and that God wants to bless marriages with grace.
Trust in God at difficult moments: Sometimes, God allows problems to occur, to help us learn to trust Jesus and have faith in his care. Running out of wine is a glitch. The presence of the empty jars also shows a lack. The number six depicts imperfections. Yet, God discovers our human needs and converts negative situations to opportunities for witnessing his supremacy. All things work unto good… (Rom. 8:28)
In his Angelus message in 2016, Pope Francis gave an in-depth look at Jesus’ first miracle of turning water into wine at the Wedding Feast in Cana. Pope Francis described the Cana miracle as “an ‘entry point’ in which are engraved the words and expressions that illuminate the entire mystery of Christ and open the hearts of the disciples to the faith.” Mary’s words, “Do whatever he tells you” is that invitation to open our hearts to the voice of God; like the invitation at the transfiguration of Jesus, “A voice came from the cloud, saying, “This is my Son, whom I have chosen; listen to him” (Lk. 9:35). At Cana, joy was almost cut short by the absence of wine. Excitement was nearly extinguished by imminent frustration and embarrassment. The Blessed Mother knew all that. She discovered what would happen and spoke to her son about their concerns.
As we listen to the story of the miracle at the wedding feast at Cana, Pope Francis invites us to understand that “the wedding of Cana is much more than a simple story about Jesus’ first miracle.” The pope states, “Like a treasure chest, (Jesus) guards the secret of his person and the purpose for his coming.” Through this wedding, Jesus binds his disciples to himself “with a new and definitive covenant.” Also, following Mary’s directive to “Do whatever he tells you,” means serving the Lord by listening to his word and putting it into practice. Pope Francis described this as a “simple but essential recommendation of the Mother of Jesus, and it’s the program of the Christian life.”
This invitation is to everyone, not just to newlyweds or to couples. It is a special invitation to follow God’s words. We all have moments that bring joy but also moments that bring struggles and challenges. Those moments when our energy and wines seem to be running low. It is important to turn towards God and discover his presence. It is important to seek divine wisdom and the intervention of the Blessed Mother. It is important to recognize the words of the prophets as speaking directly to you: “For Zion’s (your name) sake I will not be silent, for Jerusalem’s sake I will not be quiet until her vindication shines forth like the dawn and her victory like a burning torch” (Is. 62:1). The message of the wedding feast is that God delights in us. God strongly desires to make us his spouse. Only do whatever Jesus asks you to do!
Readings: 1st- Is. 62:1-5; 2nd- 1 Cor. 12:4-11; Gospel- Jn. 2:1-11
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