Pastor's Relections

Weekly reflections from the Parish Bulletin

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Fr. Pat Lee

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Bible Study

“Jesus turns water into wine…”

2nd Sunday in Ordinary Time

January 17, 2010

        In today’s Gospel passage we hear of the miracle at the wedding feast in Cana.  Jesus turns water into wine to spare the hosts embarrassment.  On the surface it is the first public miracle of Jesus, and the beginning of His disciples coming to believe in Him.

        John weaves in deeper elements in the story that have great theological significance.  For example, the water is in stone jars that were used for ceremonial washings.  It becomes rich and abundant wine.  This is a symbol of the old religion, with its emphasis on ritual and purification, being replaced with the richness and the “spirit” of the Messianic age.  Jesus is to be the agent of that change.

         When Jesus says to His mother, “My hour has not yet come,” He is not referring to His time of performing miracles, but to the hour of His Passion and death.  It is a reminder to Mary and to all of us that this Messianic Age will only be fully introduced when Jesus offers Himself as the Suffering Servant, and wins His victory over sin and death on the cross.

          Mary urges this foreshadowing of the great age to come so that people will begin to believe in her Son and His message.  Mary also foreshadows the Church when she tells the servers, “Do whatever He tells you.”  We give the same message to the world, so that the power of the Christ can be revealed to them. 

           The wine that Jesus produces by His miracle is judged as superior by the headwaiter.  He says, “You have kept the good wine until now.” This is a reminder that Jesus, the Bridegroom of the Church, has saved the best for last as we approach the great banquet He has prepared for us.

God bless you.

Fr. Pat