READ Jn 2:1-11 There was a wedding at Cana in Galilee, and the mother of Jesus was there. Jesus and his disciples were also invited to the wedding. When the wine ran short, the mother of Jesus said to him, “They have no wine.” CLICK HERE TO READ THE REST OF THE GOSPEL
UNDERSTAND | By Father Greg Friedman, OFM In most cultures, a wedding is a big deal—and sometimes a source of anxiety. Like other priests, I’ve participated in wedding planning and have listened to brides and grooms—and their anxious parents—worry about making sure the celebration at church and the reception afterward express the joy and importance of the occasion. And I suspect many of them will no doubt identify with today’s Gospel story, the wedding feast of Cana. We all know the story about how the wine was running out, and how Jesus’ mother took the problem to him. The miracle of the water become wine—and good wine at that—is a charming story, to be sure. But there’s a deeper dimension. The Gospel according to John is a story of revelation: In its opening words the Gospel tells us about the Word made Flesh. God has come among us in the person of Jesus Christ. The stories and sayings of Jesus which follow are written to allow us to encounter Jesus as the One come from God. Jesus is revealing his glory to those who would accept him. And it’s appropriate that the beginning of Jesus’ signs, as John describes this event at Cana, happens in the very human setting of a wedding, a celebration of human life, joy, and the goodness of God’s creation. To find God present, we need only to look for the signs of divinity which are present all around us.
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DISCUSS | By Father Dan Kroger, OFM In the first reading (Is 62:1-5), why does Isaiah say, “I will not be silent?” What is Isaiah’s comment about the future of Jerusalem? What does St. Paul say, in the second reading (1 Cor 12:4-11), about “spiritual gifts?” Does Paul think that the manifestation of the Spirit is the same for everyone? Can you see various gifts of the Spirit in your parish church? Name one or two you can see. In this week's Gospel (Jn 2:1-11), where was the wedding celebration? When they were running out of wine what did the Mother of Jesus do? What did Jesus do? Then what happened? Was that surprising to the headwaiter?
ACT Ask your parents, grandparents, or someone else to tell you the story of their wedding or a wedding that they have attended that was special. Have them show you pictures, if they have any. Even though he seemed to not want to do it, Jesus fulfilled the request that his mother, Mary, made of him. This week, try to do what your mom or dad asks of you without complaining or them having to ask you multiple times.