Reflections on the readings for the Second Sunday in Ordinary Time (January 16, 2022): IS 62:1-5; PS 96:1-2,2-3,7-8,9-10;1 COR 12:4-11; JN 2:1-11
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"... Jesus did this as the beginning of his signs in Cana in Galilee and so revealed his glory, and his disciples began to believe in him." - John 2:11
Jesus and His mother Mary received an invitation to a wedding. We do not know if the couple being married were old family friends, relatives or what their relationship was. But our Lord and His mother went to a town called Cana, believed to be just a few miles from Nazareth, to celebrate -- when a problem arose. The wine ran out. Whatever the cause, this was surely a great social disaster for the families of the bride and groom that would probably be talked about for years. Mary could not bear their disgrace at what should have been a happy time and told Jesus about the situation. She did not ask specifically request Him to do anything. Jesus even seems to dismiss the incident, asking why the incident should matter to Him and saying that His time has not come. His mother did not try to entreat or persuade Him. Instead, the Blessed Virgin simply directed her attention to the servants who were responsible for serving the wine and instructed them to do whatever He said. Without hesitation, He told them to fill up big water jars that had been intended for ceremonial washing, and then to take some to the headwaiter who tasted it. “The headwaiter called the bridegroom and said to him, ‘Everyone serves good wine first, and then when people have drunk freely, an inferior one;’ Jesus did this as the beginning of His signs at Cana in Galilee and so revealed His glory, and His disciples began to believe in Him” (John 2:9-11).
So the newly married couple and their families and guests experienced divine generosity. The Son of God did not stint in providing good wine for all. Soon His followers would see other signs revealing not only His power, but also His genuine concern for the well-being of His people. So those disciples who had already begun to follow Jesus, now saw more than a good, holy man with a compelling personality. They believed He was more. Time would show just how much more.