By Msgr. Joseph Prior • Posted January 17, 2025

(See the readings for the Second Sunday in Ordinary Time)

The wedding feast at Cana is the setting for the first great “sign” of Jesus’ ministry in the Gospel according to John. The miracle or “sign” points to a great intervention. God’s saving activity is unfolding through his Son, Jesus Christ. Mary, his mother and our mother, directs our attention to him who saves with the simple but powerful words: “Do whatever he tells you.”

The first reading points to the promise of deliverance. Isaiah proclaims that God will vindicate Jerusalem. He will deliver his people from all that oppresses them. Isaiah says: “No more shall people call you ‘Forsaken,’ or your land ‘Desolate,’ but you shall be called ‘My Delight,’ and your land ‘Espoused.’”

He then uses marital imagery to describe the relationship between God and Israel. He loves her as his spouse. The relationship is familiar to everyone. The spousal relationship when lived authentically is a powerful witness to love. God chooses to use this image of his love for his people because it speaks loudly of the power of his love, as Isaiah says, “… as a bridegroom rejoices in his bride so shall your God rejoice in you.”

The love of God for his people moves him to deliver and to heal. He sends Jesus to heal the infidelity of his people. Jesus’ first miracle manifests his ability to transform. The setting for the miracle is one of great joy: the celebration of a wedding. A man and woman are joined in a committed relationship of love. The family, friends and community are gathered to celebrate this love. The food and drink help accent the celebration.

Running out of wine is a serious problem that threatens to turn joy into embarrassment and shame. Jesus intervenes, at the request of his mother, and saves the day. The miracle changes ordinary water into the finest of wines. The details presented by the evangelist highlight the magnitude of Jesus’ graciousness. For example, Jesus has the waiters fill six large ceremonial jars that can hold 20 to 30 gallons of water. He is providing much more than they could ever need for that celebration.

Another example is the headwaiter’s reaction after tasting the wine. He is dumbfounded, not knowing where the wine came from. He says to the bridegroom: “Everyone serves good wine first, and then when people have drunk freely, an inferior one; but you have kept the good wine until now.” Jesus provides much more than what is expected. The abundance reminds us of the magnitude of God’s gracious care. He provides in ways that exceed our expectations and hopes.

The Blessed Mother’s role in this first “sign” is important and significant. When Mary finds out that the family is running out of wine, she turns to Jesus. Jesus’ response to her may seem harsh. Notice the manner in which he refers to his mother: “Woman, how does your concern affect me? My hour has not yet come.” Some might hear this as being disrespectful, referring to his mother as “woman.”

Yet it seems that in using this term, Jesus is making a reference to Mary as the new Eve. Eve was the first “woman.” It was through her, and Adam, that sin entered the human experience. She opened the door to destruction by turning away from the Lord and his way. Mary, the New Eve, is now turning humanity back to the Lord. Her son will accomplish this healing and she ushers in the saving deeds by pointing to her son. Her response to Jesus is to tell the servants, “Do whatever he tells you.”

Perhaps today we can hear those words directed to us: “Do whatever he tells you.” Jesus is the source of our salvation. He delivers us from whatever weighs us down, causes concern or worry. In the fullness of salvation, he saves us from sin and death.

The miracle or “sign” of Cana reminds us that he can deliver us from any situation. He has the ability and desire to help us. Mary noticed the need of that family at the wedding feast. She recognized their plight. She likewise recognizes our needs and points us to her son: “Do whatever he tells you.”

Prayer affords us the opportunity to turn to Jesus and to ask him for help. Whatever situations we face in life he is present to lead us forward. His love for his people is, as Isaiah reminds us, like the love a husband has for his wife. He wants what is best for us and will lead us to that place. Many times when we experience challenges or difficulties in life we start to ask ourselves questions: “What am I going to do? What should I do? How can I handle this? Is someone going to help me?”

People who face calamities, for example those in the Los Angeles area who have lost their homes and neighborhoods, might ask, “What is going to happen to us? How am I going to provide for my family? How could this ever be set right? How are we going to pay for this? Where are we going to live?” Those words of Mary enter into the darkness of these situations and open the door to light: “Do whatever he tells you.”

The great miracle of Cana reminds us that God’s love is present in every aspect of our lives. He participates in our joyful celebrations of life, like marriage. He engages us in life and leads us forward in love. Like the water turned into wine, he can transform situations that cause us worry, sorrow or even pain.

This first miracle sets the stage for an even greater deliverance, that from sin and death. There is nothing more powerful or greater than his love. And so those words of Mary echo in our ears today: “Do whatever he tells you.”

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Msgr. Joseph Prior is pastor of Our Lady of Grace Parish, Penndel, and a former professor of Sacred Scripture and rector of St. Charles Borromeo Seminary.