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The Wedding at Cana
Scripture
"On the third day there was a wedding in 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.' Jesus said to her, 'Woman, how does your concern affect me? My hour has not yet come.' His mother said to the servers, 'Do whatever he tells you.' Now there were six stone water jars there for Jewish ceremonial washings, each holding twenty to thirty gallons. Jesus told them, 'Fill the jars with water.' So they filled them to the brim. Then he told them, 'Draw some out now and take it to the headwaiter.' So they took it. And when the headwaiter tasted the water that had become wine, without knowing where it came from (although the servers who had drawn the water knew), the headwaiter called the bridegroom and said to him, 'Everyone serves good wine first, and then when people have drunk freely, an inferior one; but you have kept the good wine until now.' Jesus did this as the beginning of his signs in Cana in Galilee and so revealed his glory, and his disciples began to believe in him."
John 2:1-11
Meditation
At a wedding celebration in Cana, Jesus performs His first public miracle—transforming water into wine—at Mary's request. This "beginning of his signs" reveals several important dimensions of Christ's identity and mission. By choosing a wedding feast as the setting for His first miracle, Jesus affirms the goodness of marriage and human celebration. His presence sanctifies the natural joy of the occasion, while His miracle elevates it to a new level of abundance and quality.
The miracle itself is rich in symbolism. The six stone jars used for Jewish purification rituals point to the fulfillment and transformation of the Old Covenant. Water, necessary but ordinary, becomes extraordinary wine—suggesting how Christ transforms our human nature into something more precious through grace. The headwaiter's comment that the best wine was saved for last reflects how Jesus brings the fullness of divine revelation, surpassing what came before.
Mary's role in this mystery is especially significant. Her attentive awareness of others' needs ("They have no wine") exemplifies her compassionate intercession. Her instruction to the servants—"Do whatever he tells you"—remains her constant message to all believers. Though Jesus' initial response seems hesitant ("My hour has not yet come"), Mary's faith and persistence help inaugurate His public ministry, showing her unique ability to draw forth Christ's action in the world. The Wedding at Cana thus reveals not only Jesus' divine power but also the effectiveness of Mary's intercession and the importance of obedient faith in following Christ's commands.
Signs and Symbols
The Wedding at Cana is filled with symbolic elements:
- Wedding Feast - Represents the covenant relationship between God and His people, and anticipates the heavenly banquet
- Water into Wine - Signifies the transformation of the ordinary into the extraordinary through divine grace
- Six Stone Jars - Represent the Old Law with its ritual purifications, which Christ fulfills and transforms
- Abundance - The large quantity of wine (120-180 gallons) symbolizes the overflowing generosity of God's grace
- "My Hour Has Not Yet Come" - Points forward to Christ's "hour" of passion, death, and resurrection
- The Best Wine Saved for Last - Indicates how Christ brings the fullness of revelation, surpassing what came before
Reflection Questions
- How do I invite Jesus and Mary into the ordinary circumstances of my life?
- When have I experienced Christ transforming something ordinary in my life into something extraordinary?
- How attentive am I to the needs of others, as Mary was to the needs of the wedding hosts?
- Am I willing to "do whatever he tells you," even when Christ's instructions seem unusual or challenging?
- In what areas of my life do I need to trust in Mary's intercessory role to bring my needs to Jesus?
Fruit of the Mystery
The spiritual fruits of this mystery are:
- To Jesus Through Mary - Greater appreciation for Mary's intercessory role
- Openness to Christ's Transforming Power - Willingness to be changed by divine grace
- Fidelity - Commitment to following Christ's instructions in all things
Prayer
Lord Jesus, who revealed your glory at the wedding feast of Cana, help me to invite you into all the circumstances of my life, both festive and ordinary. Through your transforming grace, turn the plain water of my daily existence into the rich wine of a life filled with meaning and purpose. I thank you for the gift of your Blessed Mother, whose attentive intercession brought about your first miracle. Like Mary, may I be sensitive to the needs of others and confident in bringing those needs to you. Give me the wisdom to follow her instruction to "Do whatever he tells you," trusting in your commands even when they seem difficult to understand. Help me to recognize the abundant gifts you pour out in my life and to share them generously with others. May I, like the disciples at Cana, see your glory revealed in ordinary moments and grow stronger in faith. Amen.
Art and Tradition
The Wedding at Cana has been depicted by numerous artists throughout Christian history, from early catacomb paintings to Renaissance masterpieces. In these portrayals, Jesus often appears at the center of the composition, with Mary nearby directing attention to Him. The servants pouring water or carrying jars are frequently shown, illustrating the importance of obedience to Christ's instructions. Artists like Giotto, Veronese, and Tintoretto created particularly notable renditions, often including period details that brought the Gospel story into their contemporary context.
The liturgical celebration of this event is typically connected to the Feast of the Epiphany, as the Cana miracle is seen as one of the early "manifestations" of Christ's divinity, along with the visit of the Magi and Jesus' baptism. In some Eastern traditions, the Cana miracle is specifically commemorated on the Sunday after Epiphany. The transformation of water into wine also holds eucharistic significance, foreshadowing Christ's transformation of bread and wine into His Body and Blood.
The site of the miracle in Cana of Galilee (modern-day Kafr Kanna in Israel) remains a pilgrimage destination, with churches marking the traditional location. Many couples choose to renew their wedding vows at this site, recognizing how Christ's presence sanctifies the sacrament of marriage. Pope St. John Paul II included the Wedding at Cana as the second Luminous Mystery when he introduced these mysteries in 2002, highlighting both Christ's first sign and Mary's unique role in leading others to her Son.