I have always loved weddings, in my life
I have been part of the bridal party on many occasions and every single time
the bridesmaids are reminded to shower the couple with attention to let the bride
shine. General rule has it that the couple must be the center of attention on
their special day… In The Gospel
According to John we witness a beautiful wedding scene where Jesus and his
intimate friends are gathered in celebration; yet, the attention is placed on
Jesus and not the young lovers. Up until this point Jesus has kept a low profile and many see him during these
thirty years simply as the son of Mary and Joseph the Carpenter. At his Baptism in the Jordan River people
begin to see him through John the Baptist. However, God chooses a wedding for
His Son to reveal himself to his disciples and servants. It’s interesting that
a wedding is the place of disclosure; but it makes complete sense for the
simple reason that marriage is the beginning of love for the bride and the
groom. The fact that the gospel is focusing on Jesus and not the wedded couple
means that the author is using this event to reveal the character of Jesus,
Mary and the Church. Many saw Jesus,
during the thirty years from his birth in Bethlehem up to his Baptism in the
Jordan River through John the Baptist. Yes, many saw him, but He didn’t reveal
to everyone who He really was, only to his disciples.
It is interesting to observe John the
Evangelist doesn’t call the transformation of water into wine a miracle, but a
sign. He does this in order to reveal the character of Jesus, “these mighty
deeds of divine power reveal or point to spiritual truths about Jesus through
sensible means.” His disciples have
begun to follow him, but need signs to believe in him and affirm their faith
that he is indeed the One they have waited for: “The first of the signs John
relates, and John himself insists that his purpose in recording these signs was
to convince people that the Christ, the Son of God is Jesus.” His power to transform water into wine shows
that Jesus has the power to alter everything for the good of the Kingdom. He takes a situation that is about to cause
ruin and converts it into something so much better that people comment in
surprise, “Everyone serves the good wine first… But you have kept the good wine
until now.” This shows us that not only
can Jesus transform, but that his changes are better than the original, better
than anything we can imagine!
In the Wedding in Cana scripture opens by
listing Mary, his mother, first and she being the one that recognizes there is
a problem that needs a resolution and she herself brings it to the attention of
her son. Mary on behalf of her friends
brings the running out of wine to Jesus – this action shows that she is a
mediator between the community and God, “The mother of Jesus presents the needs
of the people to Jesus, and encourages the people in the ways of discipleship,
instructing them to obey Jesus.” After
she informs her son about the need she tells the servers, “Do whatever he tells
you.” Similarly we believe today that
she is the most powerful intercessor she will present our needs to the Father,
while encouraging us to be obedient to God.
God wants his son to be revealed during
the wedding because Jesus is getting married to his saving mission. He’s getting ready to become the bridegroom
and take the church for his bride and Mary pushes him to begin his ministry,
telling him that he is ready. The fact
that the author choses to focus on Jesus and not the couple implies that Jesus
must play an important role in the Sacrament of Marriage. We must invite Him to be part of our holy
unions because he will transform us to better love one another and to bear
fruits. Though difficulties will arise
the sign of water into wine reveals that Jesus will provide in abundance.
Through the first sign Jesus reveals his
glory, Mary as a powerful mediator and gives us a sign to believe and have
faith in Him. He gives us signs so that
we might believe in His great love; but none more resplendent than that of the
cross, resurrection and exaltation. Through signs He can transform the
ordinary, the flat, grey and all that is ruined in our lives into new and
better just like he did with water into the best tasting wine.
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