Second Sunday of the Ordinary Week
Marriage at Cana: A response to Epictetus: While Epictetus (AD 55-135) views marital life as inherently miserable, the Marriage at Cana presents a contrasting vision, where Jesus' miracle enriches the understanding of the sacrament of marriage.
Third day as divine revelation: The wedding on the third day may hint at the divine revelation that is about to unfold.
First sign of Jesus' public ministry: The Marriage at Cana marks the beginning of Jesus' public ministry, highlighting its significance in John's Gospel.
Wedding as a symbol of God's relationship with Israel: The wedding context reminds us of God's covenant relationship with Israel, emphasizing the idea that marriage is a sacred institution.
Wine as a symbol of joy and eternity: The wine miracle at Cana symbolizes the joy and eternity that come from a deep relationship with God.
Mother Mary as intercessor: Mary's role in the story highlights her importance as an intercessor, demonstrating her care for the couple and her trust in Jesus.
Cyril of Alexandria's insight: Cyril's comment that Jesus' transformation of water into wine is no different from His transformation of wine into blood (at the Last Supper) underscores the deep connection between Jesus' miracles and His sacrifice.
A great framework for problem-solving! Let's connect these five steps to the Miracle at Cana
Step 1: Identifying the Problem
At the wedding in Cana, the problem was evident: the wine had run out. Identify the problem in your life.
Step 2: Understanding the Problem
Mary, Jesus' mother, understood the problem's impact on the wedding celebration and the couple's reputation.
Step 3: Accepting the personal limitations
Mary acknowledged the problem's limitations and didn't try to solve it herself. Instead, she entrusted it to Jesus. We can only fill the Jar with water and let God change them into wine.
Step 4: Addressing through Initiative
Jesus took the initiative, using His divine power to transform water into wine.
Step 5: Assessing the Outcome
The outcome was miraculous! The wine was not only plentiful but also of exceptional quality.
Fr. Raja MSFS