A reading from the gospel according to John 2:1-11:

1 There was a wedding at Cana in Galilee, and the mother of Jesus was there.
2 Jesus and his disciples were also invited to the wedding.
3 When the wine ran short, the mother of Jesus said to him, “They have no wine.”
4 And Jesus said to her, “Woman, how does your concern affect me? My hour has not yet come.”
5 His mother said to the servers, “Do whatever he tells you.”
6 Now there were six stone water jars there for Jewish ceremonial washings, each holding twenty to thirty gallons.
7 Jesus told them, “Fill the jars with water.” So they filled them to the brim.
8 Then he told them, “Draw some out now and take it to the headwaiter.” So they took it.
9 And when the headwaiter tasted the water that had become wine, without knowing where it came from although the servers who had drawn the water knew, the headwaiter called the bridegroom
10 and said to him, “Everyone serves good wine first, and then when people have drunk freely, an inferior one; but you have kept the good wine until now.”
11 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.

Reflection: The Wedding

The gospel reading above tells us of the first miracle of Jesus according to the gospel of John. It happened in a wedding at Cana, a village in lower Galilee. We must remember that the very purpose of John in writing his gospel was to introduce to his readers that Jesus was and is the Messiah. Therefore, the miracle at Cana is one of the evidences that indeed Jesus was the most-awaited Messiah. It must also be pointed out that Jesus came to earth to reunite the people with God the Father. The wedding at Cana is therefore a most fitting introduction to this endeavor of “union”. In many other accounts of the bible, we often read of wedding images (Isaiah 54:4-8; 62:4-5, Matthew 22: 1–14, Luke 14:7-14, Revelation 19:9).

The miracle of turning water into wine is an inauguration of God’s presence in the world. In the last supper, we know that Jesus turned wine into His own blood. The “hour” that Jesus mentioned refers to His glorification through His passion, death and resurrection.

There are several points for meditation from this miracle story.
1. The presence of God through Jesus brings us joy and merriment, as what happens in a wedding.

2. Mary, the mother of Jesus, played a prominent role in the miracle event. Remember, the servants did not inform the bride and groom about the problem but Mary knew it and she made the first move. During the crucifixion, right before Jesus expired, He entrusted Mary to John to be his own mother (John 19:27).

3. Jesus is concerned about our problems including our material needs. He truly cares for us.

4. Jesus performs miracle even if it is not yet the proper time. At a time when we are lacking of something, He comes to the rescue. He does not want us to be put to shame as He did for the bride and groom at the wedding of Cana.

5. Jesus is not just the source of abundance. He also gives us what is superior to what we already know or tasted. The quality of wine that the headwaiter tasted was the best of all and it came last. How often do we hear the words “The best is yet to come”!

6. Miracles happen when we do what Jesus tells us, when we are obedient to His will and when we humble ourselves and submit to His authority.

7. His disciples began to believe in Him after the miracle. Let us believe in Jesus as our savior. He does perform miracles daily for us. Each day that we wake up is in itself a miracle. Let us thank Him daily.