THE UNION OF GOD AND HUMANITY IN JESUS
(A biblical refection on the 2nd Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year C, 20 January 2013)
Gospel Reading: John 2:1-11
First Reading: Is 62:1-5; Psalms: Ps 96:1-3,7-10; Second Reading: 1Cor 12:4-11
The Scripture Text
On the third day there was a marriage at Cana in Galilee, and the mother of Jesus was there; Jesus also was invited to the marriage, with His disciples. When the wine failed, the mother of Jesus said to Him, “They have no wine.” And Jesus said to them, “Fill the jars with water.” And they filled them up to the brim. He said to them, “Now draw some out, and take it to the steward of the feast.” So they took it. When the steward of the feast tasted the water now become wine, and did not know where it came from (though the servants who had drawn the water knew), the steward of the feast called the bridegroom and said to him, “Every man serves the good wine first; and when men have drunk freely, then the poor wine; but you have kept the good wine until now.” This, the first of His signs, Jesus did at Cana in Galilee, and manifested His glory; and His disciples believed in Him. (Jn 2:1-11 RSV)
We do not know the names of the couple who were married there. But it matters little because the real wedding being celebrated in the story of that third day was the union of God and humanity in Jesus: the marriage of heaven and earth. Before Jesus, God’s relationship with the Chosen People was like the courtship before marriage – a time of preparation. The old religious system is represented in the story by the six stone water jars standing there. The water was that used for the ablutions which were a prescribed preparation for the feast. Stone jars were regarded as very clean. But an exaggerated insistence on ritual cleanliness was part of a system that had left the people with hearts like the jars … made of stone. These jars numbered six, still short of seven, the number of fullness or perfection. Now the water was changed into wine as an indication that the preparatory courtship had reached the day of marriage, and that the hearts of stone would be replaced by hearts of flesh. The best wine was kept until these latterdays.
The miracle at Cana was a first sign of the glory of Jesus. This first glimpse of His glory drew His disciples to believe in Him. His glory would be fully revealed, His hour would come, when He would be lifted up from the earth on Calvary as He returned to the Father’s mansions. Thus lifted up, He was to draw all people to Himself, embracing all people as His bride, loving them to the end. In going to His Father’s house on the third day, He brought home humanity as His wedded bride.
The courtship and wooing of the people in the Old Testament prepared for the wedding of the new covenant. If the old religious system is symbolized by the water of ablution, the new religion is characterized as the wine of a celebratory banquet. This banquet is ever fresh in the Eucharistic memory of Jesus. To remember is to proclaim that the deeds of God are not confined to one transient day but belong to an eternal now. The Eucharist is the living memory of the wedding of heaven and earth.
The wedding which was first glimpsed at the changing of water into wine at Cana, was consummated on Calvary in the death-glorification journey of Jesus to the Father. And we who gather in faith at the Eucharistic remembrance are the children of the consummation.
“For as a young man marries a virgin, so shall your sons marry you, and as the bridegroom rejoices over the bride, so shall your God rejoice over you” (Is 62:5 RSV).
Short Prayer: Heavenly Father, through Your Holy Spirit make us never forget the death Your Son endured for our salvation, His glorious resurrection and ascension into heaven. Make us believe that the Eucharist is indeed the wedding of heaven and earth. Amen.
