ISAIAH 62:1-5/ 1COR. 12:4-11/ JOHN 2:1-12
Fr. Daniel Evbotokhai
The Manifestation at Cana
Today’s Gospel reading presents us with what we may regard as the third Epiphany or Manifestation of Jesus Christ. The first Epiphany known as the “Epiphany of the Lord was celebrated two Sundays ago; the second Epiphany known as the “Baptism of the Lord was celebrated last Sunday and today the Gospel speaks of the third Epiphany which is “the Manifestation at the wedding feast at Canna”. Let us manifest God’s glory that many people will come to believe in him.
To manifest his glory is to manifest his presence. An evil man manifest evil trait. If a Christian should manifest his presence,people will say he or she behaves like Jesus. In Acts 11:26 it was in Antioch that the disciples were first called Christians because they manifested Christ-like attitude.
Again, to manifest his glory is to manifest his gifts as we have it in the second reading in 1Cor. 2:7 “to each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good.” Jesus in his manifestation changed water into wine for the common good. Every Christian therefore is to manifest his gifts for the common good. Every Christian is called to manifest the glory of God and the today’s psalm buttresses this when it echoes “tell among all the people the wonders of the Lord, proclaim his salvation day by day, tell among the nation his glory and his wonders among all the peoples.”
More so, let us reflect on the Divine presence.
The Presence of Jesus: In the Gospel Jesus was present at the wedding feast. The Church attaches paramount importance to Jesus’ presence at the wedding feast. For the Church it confirms perfectly the goodness of marriage and that marriage is an efficacious sign of Christ’s presence (Catechism of the Catholic Church 1613). By Christ’s presence the wedding ceremony becomes a sacrament. In the sacrament of Holy Matrimony the couples bring Christ into their union. Just as Christ changed water into sweet wine he enters into their union to sweeten it, to turn their sorrows into joy (Rev..21:3-4).
The presence of Jesus and Mary: The presence of Jesus and Mary at the marriage feast saved the couple from disgrace. John 2:3 says; they ran short of wine. A marriage feast in Palestine without wine is no marriage feast at all. For a Jewish feast, wine was essential. ‘Without wine,’ said the Rabbis, ‘there is no joy.’ It was not that people were drunks, but in their own cultural milieu wine was essential. Therefore, it would have been a big shame for the couple and their families to send their guest away without wine. However, when they approached Mary, she interceded on their behalf and Jesus manifested. The presence of Jesus and Mary in our life will save us from disgrace. Isaiah 50:7 says; the Lord helps me therefore I will not be disgraced; in Rom. 10:11 the Bible says “everyone believing on Him will not be put to shame…” The presence of Jesus and Mary in our lives will shame the shame, disgrace the disgrace and humiliate the humiliation.
Beloved, God never abandons his people; no matter what you are going through God cares; and is always ready to deliver us. He reassured us in the first reading of today saying; “for Zion’s sake I will not keep silent, for Jerusalem’s sake I will not remain quiet, till her vindication shines out like the dawn.” God never abandons his people. Therefore we should hasten and trustingly kneel and ask him to help us in the trials and tribulations of our time. Let us resort to Jesus for the Best result.
Lastly, the best result comes when we do the Lord’s will. Oftentimes Christians like the best result but not always ready to align with the Divine Will. In the great advise, Mary said “Do whatever he tells you”. Christians must learn to do God’s will. Whatever it is at all that God demands of us we must learn to do it. In God’s will is our peace.
