Changing Water into Wine

 

Dear Parishioners,

This Sunday’s Gospel, the Wedding at Cana (Jn. 2: 1-11), is probably familiar to most Christians. We see Christ’s first public miracle portrayed in St. John’s Gospel where water is changed into wine at a wedding celebration. There are a number of essential theological points not to be missed in this passage, above and beyond the actual miracle itself.

First is the role of the Blessed Virgin Mary as intercessor and a type of new Eve. It was at the apparent request of His mother that Jesus worked this miracle. When people question Catholics about our custom of requesting assistance from the Mother of God and not just going to Jesus directly, I remind them that the Bible clearly demonstrates how she was instrumental in requesting her Son’s help on other people’s behalf. She interceded on behalf of this newlywed couple and she can certainly do the same for us. Then she goes on to tell us all to “Do whatever He tells you” to do (Jn. 2:5). Could we ever receive any better advice?

Rather than address His mother with a more intimate, familial term (mother, mom, etc.) in this passage, Jesus addresses her as Woman. “Woman, how does your concern affect me? My hour has not yet come.” (Jn. 2:4) St. John is connecting a few dots here for us. The reference certainly recalls the first woman, Eve. Mary is going to become the new Eve who is completely obedient to the will of God and does what He asks of her. Moreover, in this same Gospel Jesus uses the identical term for His mother at the foot of the cross (His hour) where she is given to St. John (and to the entire Church through him.) She, as the new Eve, is now our spiritual mother, Mother of the Church.

Note how water was not only changed into wine, but it was the best wine. While Jewish wedding celebrations certainly had wine present for festivity, this best wine can have a spiritual meaning as well. Jesus provided something superior to what anyone else can do. The wine was also produced in super-abundance. Wine can be symbolic for joy and Jesus certainly can provide for all of us more true joy than the world can ever give. If we look at Heaven as a wedding banquet [See: the Wedding of the Lamb in the Book of Revelation (19: 6-9)], then Jesus provides the joy to be found there in superabundance.

In order to obtain the desired outcome, Jesus had people cooperate with Him in the endeavor. The servants were told to fill the jars with water. Jesus wants them (and us) to participate in the process. We are not called to merely stand by and watch but to participate actively with Him.

This miracle is another type of epiphany revealing the identity of Jesus. With the epiphany of Jesus to the magi, all nations are seen coming to worship Him as God and King. At His baptism, Jesus is revealed as part of a Divine Trinity (the voice of the Father, the Spirit descending on Him like a dove). At the wedding in Cana, Jesus performs His first public miracle leading Him to His Hour where He suffers and dies on the cross as Savior for us.

Finally, while at Mass we participate in a sacred ritual pointing us to the Wedding Banquet of Heaven. Mass is a foretaste of Heaven and our eternal union with God. God’s intention is to have us share in His Divinity as He shared in our humanity. When we receive Holy Communion, the Body and Blood of Our Lord, anticipate this Wedding of the Lamb.

Fr. Ed Namiotka

Pastor