The image of a wedding is frequently used throughout the Old Testament to describe God’s relationship with his Chosen People, Israel, such as in our First Reading today (Isaiah 62:1-5). Though Israel was often unfaithful, God always took her back, forgave her, and turned her sadness into joy. As she awaited the coming of the Messiah, Israel’s hopes were expressed in terms of a wedding – a time of great rejoicing and celebration. Like abundant wine, God’s blessings would be poured out on his people in full measure.
As we hear the account of the miracle at Cana (John 2:1- 11), it is hard not to notice the shadow of the cross. Like all of Jesus’ signs and miracles, the miracle at the wedding feast at Cana points to the greatest of all his signs; when he will be lifted up on the cross in obedience to the Father, for the salvation of humanity. This is how the new covenant between God ad his people will be brought about. Here Jesus speaks about his “hour” – a reference to that time when his truest identity and glory will be revealed. While the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, and Luke point to the Resurrection as Jesus’ hour of glory, in the Gospel of John his hour of glory comes at his crucifixion, where Jesus accepts death in obedience to the will of his heavenly Father.
Significantly also, Jesus’ mother is present at the wedding. In addressing her as “woman,” it is a foreshadowing of Jesus addressing her in the same way as he hung upon the wood of the cross when he entrusted her to the care of the Beloved Disciple. For Christians, the cross is the ultimate blessing, as it is the source of eternal life.
The Gospel concludes by telling us that “the disciples began to believe in him.” This was just the beginning of their faith journey. As they stayed and traveled with Jesus, they would come to even deeper insights. We, likewise, are on a journey of faith. We gather at Mass today because we believe and rejoice in the Risen Lord speaking to us and encouraging us to follow him. Jesus continues to call us beyond all human understanding into a deeper sharing of his Paschal Mystery. We strive to remember that God always delights in us and wants us to be with him. In our Second Reading, from the First Letter to the Corinthians (1 Corinthians 12:4-11), St. Paul reminds us that we all have unique gifts to offer for the encouragement and strengthening of others who join us on this journey of faith. We never travel alone!
The image of the family and friends gathered at the wedding feast shows us that we are all in this together. Through faith our lives gain a new depth and meaning if we simply do as the Blessed Mother instructs us: