Changing water into wine was the first sign done by Jesus which revealed his Glory. John has seven signs in his gospel. These signs give hope to the disciples. Hope to the sick. Hope to the dis-connected and hope to us.
More wine and the best wine at the wedding gave hope to the wedding party and guests.
Having Jesus in one’s marriage to change what is bitter and resentful to what is delicious and delightful will give hope to the family, the community and the parish.
We who are baptized, can be hope in a disconnected and distracted social medium. When we are intentional at being priests and prophets with the dignity of the people of God, we become light in the darkness, truth in the forest of lies, and connective links in the fishing net of Jesus.
Like Reverend Martin Luther King Jr. and all those who rallied for the right to life through Civil Rights, when we march for justice, we are hope. Though they were tortured and bombed, fed to police dogs, watered by fire hoses, betrayed by courts and governors, the hope that is Jesus was revealed through them and for them is the power and the glory!
Many are hoping for an Eagles win tomorrow/today. Many are preparing to travel, to tailgate, to gather in supportive groups. Many anticipate power, glory and bragging rights -enlivened and excited.
I am sure the people who knew about the water become wine, felt a similar excitement and expectation; “The disciples” it says, “began to believe in him.”
The Catholic Church is on the march for life because of the birth, death and resurrection of Jesus.
The march for life, is Life from conception through natural death because Jesus is the Way. The Truth. The Life.
Those children, women and men sixty years ago this year, gave their lives for those whose lives were dehumanized and legally unprotected. They drank the water that had become wine and the wine that had become the blood of Christ and their blood ran red through the streets of Birmingham, Selma, Atlanta, Camden, Memphis.
Now it is our turn.
We have a new government coming to power. For some this is a sign of hope. For some it is a sign of doom. But What is a disciple of Jesus to do?
Well, there was a wedding at 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?” His mother said: “Do whatever he tells you.”
“The headwaiter tasted the water that had become wine.”
And his disciples began to believe in him.