Second Sunday in Ordinary Time ‘C’

This week we are at a wedding in Cana where Jesus reveals his Divine power by His first miracle, transforming water into wine. Throughout the Bible, marriage is the symbol of the Covenant relationship between God and His chosen people. God is the faithful Groom, and humanity is His beloved bride. 

We see this theme beautifully presented in today's First Reading, where Isaiah uses the metaphor of spousal love to describe God’s love for Israel. God’s fidelity to His people is compared to a husband’s fidelity to his wife. By our Baptism, each of us has been betrothed to Christ as a bride to her Groom (2 Cor 11:2). 

In today’s Second Reading, St. Paul reminds us that the new wine that Jesus pours out for us is the gift of the Holy Spirit, given to His bride. 

In today’s Gospel, John describes the first of the seven “signs” by which Jesus showed his Divinity. When the wine “ran short,” Jesus’ mother told Him about it. At first Jesus seemed to refuse to do anything about it... But later He told the servants to fill six large stone jars with water and take some of the miraculously made wine to the headwaiter. When they did so, the headwaiter expressed his surprise that such a great wine had been reserved for late use. 

Let us, “invite Jesus and Mary to remain with us in our homes” when we feel any kind of shortages in our family lives. The spouses need Jesus and Mary when their dreams are gone, mutual love is dried up, the relationship becomes boring and raising the children becomes a burden draining all their energy. The awareness of the presence of Jesus and Mary in the family will encourage parents to create an atmosphere of prayer, Bible-reading, mutual love and respect at home. It will refresh and renovate family life. 

Let us follow Mary's instruction, “Do whatever He tells you.” This is the only command given by Mary which is recorded in the New Testament. By the miracle of Cana, Jesus challenges us to enrich the empty lives of those around us with the new wine of love, mercy, concern and care. 

May we appreciate the miracles of God's providence in our lives. God, often works daily miracles in our lives by protecting us from physical and moral dangers, providing for our needs, inspiring us and strengthening us with His Holy Spirit. We need to appreciate the miracle of the Real Presence of the Lord on the altar, where God transforms our offering of bread and wine into the Body and Blood of Jesus.