Coffee With God

Reflection: John 2: 1-12

It is embarrassing for a host to run out of food or drink in the middle of a banquet. In the episode of Jesus changing water into wine, there is not only no wine in the house, but also there is not even water there! Only after Jesus ordered it, the servants fill the jars with water! But, unless we read it in prayer and meditation, we run the risk of misunderstanding its meaning. John presents in his Gospel only seven signs of Jesus. The wedding at Cana is the first of the seven. Although serving wine symbolizes happiness and love (Ecl 10:19), drunkenness was condemned (Pro 23:30) in the Jewish culture. If so, why does the Evangelist say that Jesus gave them wine in abundance? He uses a unique expression: ‘Jesus revealed his glory.’ This sign is the manifestation of the Glory of God: the Epiphany of the Lord! The disciples believed after seeing this sign. Nothing is said of the central figures of a wedding: no mention of the bride; the groom has an insignificant role; he does not say anything. Then there is a curious emphasis on the six stone jars in this house. A private home did not require that many jars of water for purifications! Another point for reflection is that John does not name Mary but simply calls her, “the Mother of Jesus.” There will be few more occasions when he would use that phrase as it happened at the foot of the cross (Jn 19:25-27). At the time of Jesus, people expected a Messiah, who would provide them with banquet of “rich food, and choice wines, meat full of marrow” (Is 25:6). This Messiah still seems to be far away. The people are sad, like those who celebrate a wedding feast without wine. The wedding at Cana without wine represents the tragic condition of the people of Israel, disappointed and dissatisfied. The six empty stone jars represent the religion of purification, that has those set of practices and rituals that failed to purify the people. They relied on the fulfilment of legal provisions to please God but remained sad and disappointed. Jesus’ mother can be Mary, yes, but she can also indicate the spiritual community which accompanied Jesus and followed his precepts. In today’s passage, she represents the pious people of Israel. They understand that the living water and the best quality wine comes only from Jesus. The Mother approaches Jesus to inform him that there is no life and joy in the household. And his response is, “Woman, my time has not yet come.” The Mother, the Church tells the people: “Do as he tells you.” When his time comes on the Cross, he would pour out the choice wine – his own blood to purify the household and bring them life and joy!