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

Homily for the Epiphany of Our Lord - Fr. Edward Namiotka

 

Gold, Frankincense and Myrrh

Dear Parishioners,

From the time when I was young, they always seemed like strange gifts to bring a newborn baby: gold, frankincense and myrrh. Today we would think of things like diapers, toys, blankets, formula, socks, pajamas, etc. to bring to an infant. Obviously, there is more to the gifts of the magi than meets the eye.

Gold is meant as a tribute to a king. Gold as a precious, valuable metal was prized by many cultures and worn by kings, present in the worship of gods, and used as currency. Jesus is indeed a king—the King of the Universe. 

Frankincense is offered to a deity. When we occasionally burn incense in church (and the parishioners begin to cough automatically) it is meant to be a symbol of our prayers rising up to God.  Psalm 141: 2 states: Let my prayer be incense before you . . . and the Book of Revelation (5:8) speaks of the elders who held a harp and gold bowls filled with incense, which are the prayers of the holy ones. The Hebrews had an altar of incense where a pleasing fragrance burned before the Holy of Holies. Some other cultures, like the ancient Romans, burned incense before their various statues as a sign of divinity.  Jesus is divine—the Son of God.  He is also the Great High Priest who is mediator between God and man. 

Myrrh has various uses in perfumes, incense and medicine. The ancient Egyptians used it for embalming of mummies. When it is presented to Jesus it can be symbolic of his healing ability or an anticipation of his death and burial. Jesus was offered myrrh mixed with wine on the wood of the cross.  Nicodemus brought myrrh to the tomb for Jesus’ burial.

Gift-giving has become such a part of the Christmas season, often overshadowing the true spiritual meaning of the Incarnation. What is so astounding is that God became man! Our Creator became a creature. God in all His power became a powerless, vulnerable infant who needed his mother and foster-father to feed, clothe and provide for Him. Timelessness entered into time, the Immortal, Eternal One became subject to death, and the All-Knowing God had to grow in “wisdom, age and favor.” (Lk. 2:52)

When we celebrate the Epiphany (manifestation or showing) of the Lord to the magi (astrologers representative of non-Jews or gentiles) we realize that salvation is open to all peoples and we are directed to Christ as the one and only Messiah and Savior of the World.

Our fitting gift to Jesus should be a humble and contrite heart, as the psalm relates. (See Ps. 51:19) He does not need material “things” to make Him happy. Instead He desires us and our willingness to do His will.  He desires obedience to His commands.

        

The law of the LORD is perfect, refreshing the soul.

The decree of the LORD is trustworthy, giving wisdom to the simple.

The precepts of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart.

The command of the LORD is clear, enlightening the eye.

The fear of the LORD is pure, enduring forever.

The statutes of the LORD are true, all of them just;

More desirable than gold, than a hoard of purest gold,

Sweeter also than honey or drippings from the comb.

By them your servant is warned; obeying them brings much reward.

(Ps. 19: 8-12)

Fr. Ed Namiotka

Pastor

Homily for the Epiphany 2023 - Fr. Edward Namiotka

 

The Epiphany

Dear Parishioners,

We three kings of Orient are,

Bearing gifts we traverse afar.

As far as I can remember, this popular carol, referring to the three kings from the East, has been sung annually during the Christmas season.  The carol itself was written in the 19^th century by the Rev. John Henry Hopkins, Jr., an Episcopalian clergyman.  Popular folklore has grown over the years regarding them, although the Sacred Scriptures dedicates only twelve verses to them in St. Matthew’s Gospel (Mt. 2: 1-12).

First of all they are called magi in the bible—not kings.  Speculation has it that they were astrologers, although the term itself sometimes refers to a magician or a Zoroastrian priest.  In any case, they were observing a star in their pursuit of the newborn King of the Jews.  There is no mention that there are actually three of them, but the number of gifts seems to lead people to draw that conclusion.

With time the magi have been given names—Caspar (Kaspar), Melchior and Balthazar—although there is no biblical basis for this either.  We are told that they brought three special gifts to the Christ Child—each seemingly with a unique significance: gold, frankincense and myrrh.  While there are varied interpretations of the meaning of these gifts,  gold is usually seen as a royal tribute paid to a king, frankincense as a sign of divinity and myrrh as an embalming oil as a symbol of death or, perhaps, healing.

What is the spiritual significance of this event known as the Epiphany?  According to the Catechism of the Catholic Church:

 

In the magi, representatives of the neighboring pagan religions, the Gospel sees the first-fruits of the nations, who welcome the good news of salvation through the Incarnation.  The magi’s coming to Jerusalem in order to pay homage to the king of the Jews shows that they seek in Israel, in the messianic light of the star of David, the one who will be king of the nations.  Their coming means that pagans can discover Jesus and worship him as Son of God and Savior of the world only by turning toward the Jews and receiving from them the messianic promise as contained in the Old Testament.  (Catechism of the Catholic Church, # 528)

Marking above the door in the year 2020

In Spain, the Philippines and various other countries throughout the Spanish-speaking world, various traditions have sprung up surrounding the Three Kings with forms of gift-giving attached.  In a European tradition, the initials of the king’s names are marked in chalk above the doors of homes (for example,  C+M+B or K+M+B) as a blessing for the New Year.  Other cultures celebrate the kings with a special ring cake concealing a figure of the baby Jesus inside.

No matter what traditions surround the celebration of the Epiphany, we need to remember always that Jesus Christ is King!

O come let us adore Him!

                                                                                    

Fr. Ed Namiotka

Pastor

Homily for the Epiphany - Fr. Edward Namiotka

 

Homily for the Epiphany - Fr. Edward Namiotka