As we begin today the cycle of the Sundays of the ordinary time of the Year, the gospel tells the story of the ‘first sign’ worked by Jesus, in the presence of his disciples, in Cana in Galilee. This rounds off the celebration of the Lord’s Epiphany (his manifestation), and the gospel is called a ‘book of signs’, put together so that we may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the
Son of God, and believing, we may have life through him. In this first sign/miracle, Jesus revealed his glory, and his disciples believed in him. There are always occasions of miracles in our human experience that bring joy and celebration to us which sometimes are disguised. Our life itself is a miracle. These miraculous experiences are meant to lead us to a greater height in our belief and faith. The readings today contained the forthright message of hope given to an exiled community struggling to re-establish themselves after their return from Babylon. We are sometimes exiled from God by our sin and lack of faith. This is also a message of hope for us all. These great promises will be realized with the coming of the Saviour’s ‘hour’. The abundant wine reminds us of the ‘new wine’ spoken of by Jesus: the new order of things that he was inaugurating through his Paschal Mystery. The water jars of ‘the Jews’ in contrast represents those who refuse to believe in Christ( they are empty). Are we empty? The quantity of wine produced (120 gallons – far more than required for the occasion) underlines the abundant generosity of what is to be hoped for. When she makes her request on behalf of God’s simple people, Mary – the ‘woman’ who personifies the Church, the new Bride – is reminded that the generous realization of the hopes of Israel and us depends entirely upon the will of the Father. In response, she shows herself a model disciple, with words that are meant for all of us: ‘Do whatever he tells you.’ Let us, therefore, continue to do whatever Christ tells us irrespective of the consequences.
DO WHATEVER HE TELLS YOU
