Wedding at Cana

By: Fr. George Vargas

http://www.quezon.gov.ph/dailybread/WeddingAtCana.html

1. There were 6 big jars of water (about 30 gallons each) which were prepared for the purification rituals set for the visitors. A visitor might pass through a gentile soil so the dusts on their feet were unclean, so they have to wash them before entering the reception hall. Water is always associated with Baptism and wine into the suffering of Christ. Baptism of John was good but the blood of Christ that takes away our sins is far better. Sacrament of Baptism is good because it cleanses our souls from sins but sharing the fruits of our sweat and blood to the poor is better. In the waters of baptism we confess our faith, but just believing in God is not enough. We need to turn our own “waters of faith” into our “wine of charity” to the poor and the needy.

2. When something went wrong during the wedding, Christ gave them what they need (the wine) just to sustain the celebrations. He produced whatever is missing to sustain the relationship. Same is true when something went wrong in our relationship (wedding) with God because of our sinfulness. Even though failure in on our side, it is always God who will always take the initiative to sustain our relationship with him. He will supply us enough “wine of forgiveness and mercy” to keep our marriage him alive, forever.          

3. Jesus turned 6 jars of water into wine. Can you imagine a big amount of wine that Christ supplied to them (6jarsx30 gallons=180 gallons of wine) towards the end  of the party. I think is far more than what they need, in fact they might need only 1 jar just to finish up the celebration. He gives them more than what they needed. Christ’s blood is more than enough for our salvation. His grace is far more than our sins. We need only forgiveness but God did not only forgive us but he goes as far as loving us until the cross. So be it, with our lives. We should not only simply forgive persons who wronged us, we should learn how to give even more that. Let’s offer them our sweetest love that’s coming from within.

4. The best wine should be offered at the beginning but it was offered at the end. Wine represent the covenant of God with man. The “wine of New Testament” tastes better that the first one (the wine of  Old Testament covenant), because it is “fermented” by Christ’s blood. Same is true with marriage. You might have the “sweetest wine” during your wedding, but good weddings do not guarantee a perfect married life. The best taste of “wine” in marriage is best tasted towards the end, when you are celebrating your 25th or 50th anniversary of marriage. Let us keep working and be patient with our dreams, remember that the best wine of God’s blessings are well served at the end.