Jesus’ Hour, John 2:1-111: In this charming and exhilarating story, Jesus is the protagonist but says very little – only three short sentences – yet the whole story is filled with the light of his Epiphany.

The account unfolds before us as images instead of narration. A wedding celebration is taking place and as was the custom, the wedding is part of a feast. The first thing the writer tells us is that Jesus’ mother is present at this joyous affair. The party must have been unfolding with much good cheer since they quickly ran out of wine. 

It is at the wedding at Cana that Jesus offers his disciples the first sign of the mystery of his person. By changing water into wine, he reveals the power of God, who transforms human reality by lifting it to a higher level. John, in his own style, presents the miracles of Jesus not to establish proof but to manifest his identity. It is an invitation to believe in Christ as the Son of God. 

In the Word of God, the miracle is above all a sign from God; to understand it, our hearts must be willing to welcome it. Jesus aims to awaken in us an active faith that allows us to proclaim a message of hope and love that can transform hearts and minds. As a sign of God’s Kingdom, Jesus teaches us that the time of preparation is over and that the Kingdom is here. We can encounter God through his Son. This sign reminds us that God can unexpectedly enter the events of our lives. 

Prayer: Lord of the wedding feast, take our hearts of stone and flood them with new wine, so that we may savour the daily miracles that reveal your Son in our midst, Jesus the Christ. Amen. (Prayers for an Inclusive Church (2009) alt.)