This Week
John’s Gospel is the only one that mentions this miracle at the wedding feast at Cana. Marriage, though, was an image often used in the Old Testament to describe the relationship between God and his people, as mentioned in our first reading. It’s a good image for our relationship with God – a committed, long term, loving relationship but not without its ups and downs and difficulties.
Jewish weddings were big celebrations, lasting several days. Perhaps the couple were relatives of Mary and Jesus, and that’s why they had been invited, but they had also invited Jesus’ disciples, they were clearly generous hosts, perhaps too generous, as they ran out of wine. However, in my experience generosity brings its blessings. It would have been embarrassing for the couple and for their families and certain to put a damper on the celebrations, but Mary spotted the problem, and she knew who could help. It gives us a lovely picture of Mary as observant, thoughtful, kindly, and caring, someone whose prayers we should not hesitate to ask for, the rosary being a great way to call for Mary’s prayers.
Jesus’ reaction is interesting, he seems reluctant to get involved, maybe he considered it not a suitable occasion for a miracle; his hour would come later in the deadly seriousness of his suffering, death, and resurrection. However, Jesus cannot resist his mother’s faith, as later, people’s faith would bring forth from him many great miracles. Mary points us to Jesus and says, “Do whatever he tells you”. Mary always directs us towards Jesus, she can only be understood in that context.
The result is between 120 and 180 gallons of the finest wine, I sometimes wonder what it would have tasted like, exquisite, I’m sure. The prophets proclaimed that the Messianic era would be marked by an abundance of wine – clearly that era had arrived. Our God is generous, whether he is feeding 5,000 or providing wine at a wedding, there are no half measures, there is plenty for everyone. We know there are people in our world going hungry but that is due to our poor distribution not a lack of food in the world, for this world is blessed with an abundance of good things. God is generous, he’s given us the gift of his only Son, as our Saviour to take our sins away, and he continues to give us the gift of his Son in Holy Communion. How should we respond to all this? Surely, thankfulness, everyday thankfulness, and praise of our God.
Jewish weddings were big celebrations, lasting several days. Perhaps the couple were relatives of Mary and Jesus, and that’s why they had been invited, but they had also invited Jesus’ disciples, they were clearly generous hosts, perhaps too generous, as they ran out of wine. However, in my experience generosity brings its blessings. It would have been embarrassing for the couple and for their families and certain to put a damper on the celebrations, but Mary spotted the problem, and she knew who could help. It gives us a lovely picture of Mary as observant, thoughtful, kindly, and caring, someone whose prayers we should not hesitate to ask for, the rosary being a great way to call for Mary’s prayers.
Jesus’ reaction is interesting, he seems reluctant to get involved, maybe he considered it not a suitable occasion for a miracle; his hour would come later in the deadly seriousness of his suffering, death, and resurrection. However, Jesus cannot resist his mother’s faith, as later, people’s faith would bring forth from him many great miracles. Mary points us to Jesus and says, “Do whatever he tells you”. Mary always directs us towards Jesus, she can only be understood in that context.
The result is between 120 and 180 gallons of the finest wine, I sometimes wonder what it would have tasted like, exquisite, I’m sure. The prophets proclaimed that the Messianic era would be marked by an abundance of wine – clearly that era had arrived. Our God is generous, whether he is feeding 5,000 or providing wine at a wedding, there are no half measures, there is plenty for everyone. We know there are people in our world going hungry but that is due to our poor distribution not a lack of food in the world, for this world is blessed with an abundance of good things. God is generous, he’s given us the gift of his only Son, as our Saviour to take our sins away, and he continues to give us the gift of his Son in Holy Communion. How should we respond to all this? Surely, thankfulness, everyday thankfulness, and praise of our God.
This week's newsletter
The Order of the Mass
In a new series of videos, Father Michael explains more about the Order of the Mass, covering the Introductory Rites, the Liturgy of the Word and Liturgy of the Eucharist and Concluding Rites.
In a new series of videos, Father Michael explains more about the Order of the Mass, covering the Introductory Rites, the Liturgy of the Word and Liturgy of the Eucharist and Concluding Rites.
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To watch other videos about St Catherine's please see our Parish YouTube channel