January 07, 2017

Gospel: Jn 2:1-11
Three days later there was a wedding at Cana in Galilee, and the mother of Jesus was there. Jesus was also invited to the wedding with his disciples. When all the wine provided for the celebration had been served, and they had run out of wine, the mother of Jesus said to him, “They have no wine.“ Jesus replied, “Woman, what concern is that to you and me? My hour has not yet come.“ “However his mother said to the servants, “Do whatever he tells you.“ Nearby were six stone water jars, set there for ritual washing as practiced by the Jews; each jar could hold twenty or thirty gallons. Jesus said to the servants, “Fill the jars with water.“ And they filled them to the brim. Then Jesus said, “Now draw some out and take it to the steward.“ So they did.
The steward tasted the water that had become wine, without knowing from where it had come; for only the servants who had drawn the water knew. Immediately he called the bride–groom, and said, “Everyone serves the best wine first, and when people have drunk enough, he serves that which is ordinary. But you have kept the best wine until the end.“
This miraculous sign was the first, and Jesus performed it at Cana in Galilee. In this way he showed his glory, and his disciples believed in him.

REFLECTION:
“We know, that we belong to God.“ This has become a reality when we were inserted into the family of God through the Baptism. We received the Faith of the Church and we strive to live by that Faith.
In today’s reading Mary teaches us what Faith is. The Evangelist John records the first miracle of Jesus–water changed into wine. It is on this occasion that Mary, the mother of Jesus is addressed “Woman!“ It is an address quite disconcerting. But Jesus was teaching his own mother that she may not relate to him only on human terms but on terms of Faith. She was soon to assume a new “motherhood.“ She would become the mother of all the redeemed as she was to fulfill the prophesies of Genesis 3:15 and Revelations 12:1.
The Faith of The Woman we find in her words to the servants “Do whatever he tells you!“ The servants followed the instruction of the Woman and obeyed the Guest from Nazareth who ordered them to fill the jars with water. What if they had not obeyed? It is good that they listened to Mary and obeyed Jesus! We cannot do anything less. We must heed our Mother’s advice and obey Jesus. When we obey, miracles happen!