First Reading: Nehemiah 8:2-4a, 5-6, 8-10
Second Reading: 1 Corinthians 12:12-30
Gospel: Luke 1:1-4; 4:14-21
Today’s gospel of the Wedding Feast at Cana is the third Sunday in a row, where Jesus reveals Himself, i.e. an Epiphany. Two weeks ago, Jesus revealed Himself to all the nations of the world, as represented by the Magi. Last Sunday, Jesus reveals Himself as the Son of God and formally begins his mission that would lead him to the cross. What is the revelation in the Cana miracle?
St. John tells us (Jn20:31): “So that you may come to believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that through believing you may have life in his name.” In the miracle at Cana, Jesus reveals Himself as the Messiah. Jesus provides an abundance of the best wine. When we, like Mary, place our trust in Jesus, he will also provide an abundance for us. “The fervent prayer of a righteous person is very powerful.” (Jm5:16) We must try our best to be righteous, persist in our prayer and God will provide that which is best for us.
Mary does not ask Jesus now, to change water into wine…she asks Jesus to change our lack of trust into faith, our pride into humility, our anger into peacefulness, our lack of caring into compassion and empathy…or whatever we struggle with, into the virtue that should replace it. Jesus continues the miracle at Cana through an abundance of spiritual gifts from the Holy Spirit: “There are different gifts, but the same spirit.” (1Cor12:4) Come Holy Spirit; pour your gifts upon us!
May God bless us always!
Deacon Mike